Brexit EU referrendum: June 23rd.

[StLucieBengal]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/11324069/What-is-the-EU-referendum-and-when-is-it.html


After Cameron secured a different deal to take back to the people he know has scheduled their vote to stay or leave the EU.      

Quote:What is the EU referendum?

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David Cameron won the 2015 general election on a pledge to hold an in-out vote on the UK's membership of the European Union no later than the end of 2017.

The referendum will ask British voters this question: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?"

The crucial slip of paper voters will be faced with when deciding which way to vote has been published by the government.



Mr Cameron accepted a suggestion from the Electoral Commission in 2015 to change the responses from 'Yes/No' to 'Remain/Leave'.

The referendum campaign has been preceded by the Prime Minister's negotiations which took place with European leaders in a bid to secure a better deal for Britain's relationship with the EU.

Who can vote?

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All British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens aged over 18 and living in the UK can vote. So too can troops stationed abroad and UK nationals based overseas who have been on the electoral register in the last 15 years.

Two extra points are worth noting. Unlike general elections, Gibraltar’s 23,000 electorate will be allowed to vote after Parliament changed the rules. Conversely Scottish 16- and 17-year-olds who were granted a vote in regional elections last year cannot cast a ballot in the EU referendum.

When will an EU referendum be held?

The referendum will be held on Thursday 23 June 2016.

The proposed ballot paper has already been published alongside other rules and regulations associated with the vote as part of draft legislation.

The next step will see the rules laid before MPs in Parliament, who will then be asked to vote on the date of the referendum which has been recommended by Mr Cameron.

A referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union can be held now that David Cameron has completed his negotiation on the terms of the UK's ongoing membership with his counterparts in Europe.

Donald Tusk, President of the European Council

Donald Tusk, President of the European Council

Mr Cameron did have until the end of 2017 to hold the referendum and had previously pledged not to rush into the vote until he had secured a good deal.

But it was clear that the Prime Minister wanted to hold it sooner rather than later, with June being the earliest opportunity.

Parliament had ruled out holding the referendum on the same day as the Scottish, London, Welsh and Northern Irish elections on May 5.

Far right and anti fascist groups clash in the centre of Dover

There are fears that the tide of public opinion could swing against EU membership if the migration crisis spirals out of control during the spring and summer, making an earlier referendum even more critical to his hopes of keeping Britain in the union.

The warmer months are typically the peak period for migrants to make the perilous journey from north Africa and there are predictions that between one and two million more migrants may pour into southern Europe this year.

Who is allowed to campaign?

Anyone based in Britain. However people or groups wanting to spend more than £10,000 campaigning have to formally register with the Electoral Commission. Each “formal participant” can then spend up to £700,000 on leaflets, adverts or whatever it sees fit.

There is no limit on how many groups can register for the In and Out campaigns, but there are tight rules about working together. If groups are coordinating spending they have to tell the regulator so that a big donor cannot use various front organisations to circumvent the rules.


Are all campaign groups bound by the same rules?

Yes, except for two crucial exceptions – those that are designated “lead campaigner” on each side. The choice is made by the Electoral Commission and brings a string of benefits for whoever is picked.

Lead campaigners are allowed to spend up to £7 million – far higher than the standard £700,000 limit – as well as a free mailshot to every household in Britain and a £600,000 public grant. For the In campaign, the cross-party Britain Stronger In Europe looks set to win out, but groups backing Brexit are locked in a bitter battle to win lead designation.

What about political parties?

Separate from campaign groups, each party is allowed to spend money fighting the referendum. Spending limits are linked to the number of votes won at the last general election, so the Tories can spend the most – up to £7 million – followed by Labour (£5.5 million), Ukip (£4 million) and the Liberal Democrats (£3 million).

Smaller parties like the SNP, the Greens, the DUP, Plaid Cymru have £700,000 each to spend. Given almost every major political party is campaigning to stay in the EU, this disadvantages those backing Brexit. However the Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) will remain neutral.

Can government spending be used for the In campaign?

Ministers will be bound by the normal purdah rules that apply in general elections. The purdah period – lasting for the final 28 days before the referendum – bars the government from making any new spending or policy announcements. The role special advisers and civil servants is also severely restricted.

However rules around what government departments can do before the final month are less strict. Number 10 has said “factual information” will be sent out on the renegotiation and the costs/benefits of EU membership. Ministers are also allowed to respond to EU issues that develop.



What happens if voters back Brexit?

David Cameron has said he will trigger Article 50 – the formal mechanism for leaving the EU – if voters pick Brexit. That would begin negotiations for ending membership that could last for up to two years.

Eurosceptics suggests Parliament could unilaterally rescind legislation and that Article 50 would not necessarily be needed – bringing the advantage of no set time frame of negotiations. But both sides agree: the process for leaving the EU would begin immediately.