There has been speculation that elections in May 2021 could or should be delayed because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Documents to download
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Regulation of Referendums (176 KB, PDF)
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced on 23 January 2013 that if his party is elected to power following the next election expected in 2015, it would hold a referendum in the UK on EU membership, framed on an in out question. The wording of the question was not specified.
This Note sets out the mechanics for holding referendums. It summarises the applicable provisions of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) which regulate publicity and campaigning. The Electoral Commission has to be consulted over the intelligibility of the question or questions to be asked in the referendum. The Commission also has the power to designate organisations to campaign for Yes and No.
The Note also sets out a timeline of events for the 1975 referendum on the Common Market. It is important to note that regulation of a referendum would have significantly different elements, following the enactment of PPERA.
Research Paper 10/79 European Union Bill and Standard Note 6024 provides further detail on the provision for referendums following an EU treaty change (or related provision).
Lords Library Note 2013/002 Debate on 31 January: the Prime Minister’s speech on Europe provides further reading, as summarised on its front cover:
The Note provides a short history of Prime Ministerial speeches on Europe since 1970; outlines Government policy towards Europe since 2010; summarises David Cameron’s speech and selected reaction to it; and considers some aspects of the proposed renegotiation and referendum. It concludes with information about trends in public opinion towards Britain’s membership of the EU.
Documents to download
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Regulation of Referendums (176 KB, PDF)
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The United States held an election on Tuesday 3 November 2020, with advance voting – both in person and postal – taking place ahead of election day.
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After transition the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) provisions no longer apply to the UK and formal cooperation in these areas does not form part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached at the end of December 2020. Instead, the UK Government envisages a flexible, ad hoc approach that will make use of channels of broader dialogue with the EU. How this will work in practice remains to be seen.
