A poll of a minimum size might be specified. Alternatively it might be laid down that the number of votes cast or the number composing the majority should exceed a specified proportion of the total electorate. Some countries have applied conditions of this kind to their referenda, although they are usually intended to make it impossible for constitutional changes to be introduced too easily or by a minority of the electorate.
8. The Government are concerned that the size of the poll should be adequate, and they are confident that it will be so. They also consider it to be of great importance that the verdict of the poll should be clear and conclusive. In the circumstances they believe that it will be best to follow the normal electoral practice and accept that the referendum result should rest on a simple majority—without qualifications or conditions of any kind.
The Question on the Ballot Paper
9.
It has been suggested that more than one question should be posed on the ballot paper, and that the questions should include one asking if the voters would prefer to leave the issue to Parliament. But the Prime Minister has made it clear on several occasions that the referendum will ask for a simple "Yes" or "No" to a single straight-forward question about staying in or leaving the Community in the light of the renegotiated terms of member- ship, and the Government believe that the advantage lies with simplicity. The question will be embodied in the Referendum Bill itself and will therefore be approved by Parliament.
10. Some argue that the precise wording of the question can have a significant effect upon the result. Although there is no reliable evidence to support this view, the Government will seek to ensure that the words on the ballot paper are as free from bias as possible. They are not yet committed to any form of words but following consultations with the political parties représented in Parliament and the leading campaigning organisations they propose for discussion that the ballot paper should read as follows:
The Government have announced the results of the renegotiation of the United Kingdom's terms of membership of the European Community.
DO YOU THINK THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM SHOULD STAY IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY?
YES
NO
Provision will be made for bilingual ballot papers to be used at polling stations in Wales.
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