DATE OF EU REFERENDUM

That this House notes with deep concern reports that the UK Government may hold a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU in June this year; welcomes the Electoral Commission's recommendation that best practice for referendums is that all legislation should be clear at least six months before it is required to be implemented or complied with by campaigners, the Chief Counting Officer, Counting Officers or Electoral Registration Officers; believes that a referendum in June would be disrespectful to the May elections that will be happening in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, London and some local authorities; and further believes that a quick referendum would create a missed opportunity for a full, comprehensive debate on the UK's EU membership.