Lessons Learned from the EU Referendum Contents

Contents

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs

Summary

1 Introduction

2 Referendums and representative democracy in the UK

“A device so alien to all our traditions”?

A competitive or complementary relationship? Referendums and Parliament

Reconciling referendums and representative democracy

The importance of a clear question for a clear outcome

The legal status of referendums

Conclusion

3 The regulatory framework for referendums

The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

Section 125 of PPERA

Reforming the regulatory framework for referendums

Consolidating referendum law

Modernising section 125

Other proposals for legislative and regulatory reform

4 The Electoral Commission and the administration of the referendum

The role of the Electoral Commission during referendums

Administrative issues that arose during the referendum

Software problems

Administrative and regulatory issues

Assessments of the administration of the referendum

Regulator and provider: the Electoral Commission’s dual role

The Designation Process

The Electoral Commission

Conclusion

5 The machinery of government during the referendum

Guidance and the Civil Service Code

The suspension of collective responsibility and the guidance given to Civil Servants

The publication of referendum-related government documents

The Government’s policy on Civil Service contingency planning

Conclusion: the machinery of government and the EU referendum

Conclusions and recommendations

Annex 1: Publication of material on website and section 125 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000: third note

Annex 2: Publication of material on website and section 125 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000: second note

Annex 3: Publication of material on website and section 125 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

Annex 4: Issues raised by the Cabinet Secretary’s guidance of 23 February

Annex 5: Letter from Chair of PACAC to the Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney OC, dated 13 June 2016

Annex 6: Letter from the Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney OC to Chair of PACAC, dated 14 June 2016

Formal Minutes

Witnesses

Published written evidence

List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament





11 April 2017