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<p>The EU Referendum Bill introduced to Parliament on 28 May 2015 dis-applies section
125 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act 2000 for the purposes of
the referendum. The statutory restrictions contained in section 125 would have prevented
many types of Government business in the final 28 days of the campaign dealing with
any issue raised by the referendum question, presenting serious operational difficulties.
In order to fulfil the manifesto commitment on which it was elected, the Government
will also need to be able to set out the results of its renegotiation and its view
on those results. The Government therefore does not believe that it would have been
appropriate for the section 125 restrictions to apply in full.</p><p>The designated
organisations for the yes and no campaigns should take the lead in a vibrant and robust
debate. The Government will work with interested parties before bringing forward an
amendment that will ensure there is a mechanism for making clear that, in the four
weeks before polling day, the Government will not undertake a range of activity which
many regard as the province of the designated organisations.</p>
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