It is the first time Mr Cameron has been defeated by MPs since gaining an overall majority for the Conservatives in May – and will be seen as a dent in his authority.
It is believed that around 37 Tory MPs, including the chairman of the backbencher 1922 committee Graham Brady, voted with Labour. One of the main rebels, Bernard Jenkin, tweeted yesterday: ‘Purdah now fully restored to the EU referendum bill. This is a victory for a fair referendum.’
Ministers had attempted to stave off defeat by announcing a climbdown earlier – agreeing to Tory rebels’ demands not to call a snap referendum on EU membership. But the change of heart was not enough, and many backbenchers went ahead and voted against their own Prime Minister anyway.
Last night Hilary Benn, Labour’s foreign affairs spokesman, said: ‘This is a humiliating defeat for David Cameron, with members from all sides of the House supporting Labour’s approach to purdah, which ensures fairness in the conduct of the referendum campaign while permitting normal government business to take place.
‘The Government should never have rushed through its flawed plans to play fast and loose with the rules on the referendum.’
Mr Cameron has announced that an in/out referendum on EU membership will be held once a deal has been reached on repatriated powers with the European Commission and the other member states.
He has not, however, said when exactly the vote will be – beyond stipulating that it will take place before the end of 2017.
Last night’s Commons debate follows months of rows within the Tory party over the issue of ‘purdah’ – rules in place during election campaigns which prevent ministers using the Government publicity machine to put forward its case.
Ministers wanted to suspend purdah restrictions for the EU debate completely, but rebels threatened to vote against their plan.
Then in July, the Prime Minister was forced to compromise on the issue. He said that while some purdah restrictions would remain in place, they would be subject to exemptions to allow ministers to carry on ‘business as usual’ in relation to the EU during the campaign.
But yesterday it emerged that the independent Electoral Commission had supported the rebels’ position on purdah, saying the full purdah restrictions should be re-imposed.
And last night MPs agreed to reject Mr Cameron’s compromise – instead voting with Labour to reinstate most of the purdah restrictions.
Earlier, Europe minister David Lidington had agreed to an amendment designed to appease Eurosceptics which will force the Government to give four months’ notice before the in/out vote is held.
The ‘No’ campaign had been concerned the original rules would have meant the Government could have sprung the referendum on the country at a timing convenient to them – making a ‘Yes’ vote more likely.
Mr Lidington conceded the rebel amendment yesterday, saying the Government would accept it ‘in the interests of bridge-building’.
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