Clause 1 — The referendum

European Union Referendum Bill (Programme) (No. 2) – in the House of Commons at 11:27 pm on 7 September 2015.

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Votes in this debate

Amendment proposed: 5, page 1, line 9, at end insert

“or a date within three months before or after May 5.”—(Stephen Gethins.)

This would ensure the referendum vote could not be held on a day three months before or after the date of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish elections.

Question put, That the amendment be made.

The House divided:

Ayes 64, Noes 314.

Division number 59 European Union Referendum Bill (Programme) (No. 2) — Clause 1 — The referendum

Aye: 60 MPs

No: 330 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

Tellers

No: A-Z by last name

Tellers

Abstained: 4 MPs

Abstained: A-Z by last name

Question accordingly negatived.

Amendments made: 12, page 1, line 9, at end insert—

“and

(c) must not be 4 May 2017.”

Amendment 23, page 1, line 10, leave out subsections (4) and (5) and insert—

‘(4) The question that is to appear on the ballot papers is—

“Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”

(5) The alternative answers to that question that are to appear on the ballot papers are—

“Remain a member of the European Union

Leave the European Union”.

(6) In Wales, there must also appear on the ballot papers—

(a) the following Welsh version of the question—

“A ddylai’r Deyrnas Unedig aros yn aelod o’r Undeb Ewropeaidd neu adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd?” and

(b) the following Welsh versions of the alternative answers—

“Aros yn aelod o’r Undeb Ewropeaidd

Gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd”.”—(Mr Lidington.)

This amendment changes the English and Welsh versions of the referendum question in line with the advice of the Electoral Commission. It also puts the alternative answers to the question recommended by the Electoral Commission onto the face of the Bill.

Amendment proposed: 16, page 1, line 14, at end insert—

‘(6) At least 10 weeks before the date on which the referendum is to be held the Government shall publish a White Paper outlining the terms of any renegotiation between the United Kingdom and the European Union and the consequences for the United Kingdom of leaving the European Union.”—

(Mr McFadden.)

This amendment requires the Government to produce a white paper on the results of the Government’s renegotiation with the EU and the consequences for Britain of leaving the EU.

The House divided:

Ayes 237, Noes 308.

Division number 60 European Union Referendum Bill (Programme) (No. 2) — Clause 1 — The referendum

Aye: 237 MPs

No: 308 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

Tellers

No: A-Z by last name

Tellers

Question accordingly negatived.