Labour sources have told Coffee House that they are seriously considering voting against government amendments to the EU referendum, which means ministers still face a defeat in the Commons on Monday. There are sufficient numbers of Tory backbenchers who are still dissatisfied with the amendments, which seek to introduce a narrow definition of purdah, to mean the government cannot command a majority on the issue.
Tory MPs have also been annoyed by a ‘dear colleague’ letter from the whips. The letter claims that the effect of a Labour amendment to the Bill – which also tries to introduce purdah for the referendum and would force ministers to win a Commons vote on any exemptions – would be to prevent MPs from campaigning in the referendum. The letter, seen by Coffee House, says:
‘The Labour front-bench has tabled new clauses 5 and 6, which would also reintroduce Section 125 and give the Secretary of State a power to set the rules on Government communication by Statutory Instrument.
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