A motion by the Democratic Unionist Party raising objections to setting a late date in June for holding the in/out referendum on UK membership of the European Union, known as the Brexit, has been defeated in Westminster.
Politicians in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales say a June referendum could interfere with their proposed May regional elections and want British Prime Minister David Cameron to postpone the Brexit referendum until later in the year.
The scheduled date for elections to the Northern Ireland and Welsh Assemblies and the Scottish parliament is 5 May.
The leaders in the three institutions are worried that preparations for those regional elections could be disrupted if Mr Cameron picks a date in late June to hold the 'in-out' referendum.
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said a referendum date in June would be "disrespectful" to her country because it meant campaigning would cut across the Scottish elections.
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds raised the issue in the House of Commons.
He was supported by the SDLP, including South Down member Margaret Ritchie.
After a debate lasting almost three hours, the DUP motion was defeated by a margin of 286 to 70.
The official British government position is that no official date will be set for the referendum until Mr Cameron concludes his negotiations with the European Commission and EU member-state leaders.
