Isn't that to do with the EU referendum?
Well yes—but it's to do with all elections and referendums in the UK. In general terms, purdah refers to a pre-election period during which the activity of civil servants and government is restricted. During general elections, for example, while it is acknowledged that government cannot simply stop, departments are warned against taking major, long-term decisions or competing with the election campaigns for public attention.
Why are we talking about it now?
Because, with the referendum coming up, the rules governing the purdah period before it are up for debate. Purdah before referendums is regulated by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. This restricts the government from publishing any material which "deals with any of the issues raised" by a referendum for 28 days up to the poll. This applied most recently during the Scottish referendum.
So what's the controversy?
David Cameron originally didn't want purdah rules to apply during this referendum, arguing that following his renegotiation the government will have a clear public position on EU membership, so it wouldn't be necessary to enforce the rules. But Eurosceptics said this was a stitch up, worrying that pro-Europe ministers would be able to use government resources to argue their case and that the European Commission would be able to weigh in on the last days of the poll with announcements designed to appeal to wavering voters. Today, as a result, the government will put forward an amendment to the bill which will impose purdah but will alter it to apply only to issues which "directly affect" the vote. This could prove to be not enough for some Eurosceptics. If the amendment is voted down, it will be David Cameron's first parliamentary defeat since the election.
