EU referendum turnout warning from Electoral Reform Society after poll shows only 16% feel well informed ahead of vote

Only 16 per cent of people feel well informed about the forthcoming in/out referendum on UK membership of the European Union, according to a new poll.

The polling by BMG for the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) shows 46 per cent say they feel poorly or very poorly informed about the decision, with many saying they are unlikely to vote in the referendum in June.

The ERS warned it may lead to a low turnout.

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Chief executive Katie Ghose said people wanted a “real, informed” debate, advising the campaigns to take part in live television debates and make voter registration central to their strategies.

“We saw in Scotland during the independence referendum what can happen when people feel informed about an important decision and empowered to take part. People are crying out for the full information they need to get to grips with the EU referendum debate, and for the space to have those discussions.

“The campaigns have a responsibility to listen to voters and engage with them, as well as broadcast their views. And in a close referendum, turnout will be key – so it’s in the campaigns’ interest to provide a platform for a rich and stimulating debate,” she said.

The ERS also recommends the campaigns commit to a ‘Ceasefire Week’, where both sides only put out the positive cases for their arguments.

Older people and men are more likely to say they are well informed, according to the poll.