PM Broken Purdah Rules?

Hi all,

I am just wanting to ask if you think the government has broken the Purdah Rules convention?

As he just gave a speech today outside number 10.

Several people have questioned wheather the goverment has broken the Purdah covention as he is using his position of power to influence the vote. Here are a few people who have question it.

https://twitter.com/faisalislam?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/bbclaurak?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/chrisshipitv

https://twitter.com/e_casalicchio/status/745245770719334400

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 1

ODES_PDES

18

Original post by mrITguy

Hi all,

I am just wanting to ask if you think the government has broken the Purdah Rules convention?

As he just gave a speech today outside number 10.

Please explain more

Reply 2

mrITguy

OP

15

Original post by ODES_PDES

Please explain more

Edited my OP. Hope that explains more, if not tell me what you want me to explain :P

Reply 3

gladders

16

I don't think it's breach of purdah. Purdah is a slippery thing but really applies to civil servants, not politicians. If we interpreted it to block the PM from speaking in this referendum, it would also block him from speaking in ordinary elections, too.

Reply 4

mrITguy

OP

15

Original post by gladders

I don't think it's breach of purdah. Purdah is a slippery thing but really applies to civil servants, not politicians. If we interpreted it to block the PM from speaking in this referendum, it would also block him from speaking in ordinary elections, too.

Well Purdah was introduced in 2000 to stop prime ministers from casting judgement/influencing a public debate (during the last weeks to the vote). He was fine to state his opinion before (and maybe during) the referendum but not a few days before the vote!!

He has clearly breached the Purdah rules since he used his office as PM to influence the vote a few days before.

Reply 5

gladders

16

Original post by mrITguy

Well Purdah was introduced in 2000 to stop prime ministers from casting judgement/influencing a public debate (during the last weeks to the vote). He was fine to state his opinion before (and maybe during) the referendum but not a few days before the vote!!

He has clearly breached the Purdah rules since he used his office as PM to influence the vote a few days before.

Not really. Purdah is a self-denying ordinance upon government that prevents civil servants publishing information that could provoke criticism during the period (apart from pure facts), and prevents ministers from making policy announcements that could contradict the opponents' manifesto proposals.

PM Broken Purdah Rules?

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