Date of EU referendum

I disagree with the Electoral Commission's recommendation. A referendum held in May along with regular national assembly or local government elections will attract a higher turnout, and those voting will be regular citizens. A separate referendum held later in the year will suffer from voter fatigue and those people who do turn out will be those most highly-motivated to vote on emotional grounds, not the silent majority.

As to the argument that more than one ballot on the day would confuse UK voters, I would draw the EC's attention to the experience of US citizens who regularly vote for a range of public officials (possibly including the proverbial dog-catcher) alongside the national and state ballots.