Children’s referendum - It’s still our duty to vote

Yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling that “extensive passages” in the Government’s information booklet and website about tomorrow’s referendum were in breach of rules designed to ensure a fair, equal, and impartial playing field in the debate on the issue raises many questions.

First is whether Government knowingly promoted an unacceptable argument. Second is the question of what represents a fair, unbiased argument on any issue — which is almost impossible to satisfy. It also brings renewed focus on the obligation for government to play an impartial role in what is essentially a policy issue. None of these questions, however, resolve the immediate issue and the ruling should not be used as an excuse not to vote.