Emergency debate: EU referendum and alleged breaches of electoral law
27 March 2018 (updated on 27 March 2018)
MPs held an emergency debate on the EU referendum and alleged breaches of electoral law today in the Commons on Tuesday 27 March.
The debate was opened by Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, who told the House, "whether people voted leave or remain, they are entitled to know that the EU referendum campaign was fairly and squarely delivered, or that people were in fact cheated and the law was broken".
Responding on behalf of the Government, Cabinet Office Minister Chloe Smith said, "the Government will continue to work closely with the Electoral Commission, along with many other stakeholders in the electoral system, to protect the integrity, security and effectiveness of referendums and elections".
- Watch on Parliament TV: EU referendum and electoral law
- Read Commons Hansard: EU referendum and electoral law
- Read Commons Library briefing paper on the emergency debate: EU Referendum: Electoral Law
Application for debate
The House of Commons agreed to an application for an emergency debate, made by Tom Brake, on Monday 26 March 2018.
- Watch Parliament TV: Application for emergency debate on the EU referendum and alleged breaches of electoral law
- Read Commons Hansard: Application for emergency debate on the EU referendum and alleged breaches of electoral law
Emergency debates
An emergency debate is a debate called at short notice in the House of Commons on a matter that should have urgent consideration. An MP may apply to the Speaker for an emergency debate under the rules of Standing Order No. 24.
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