Do YOU think St George's Day should be a national holiday?

Release time：2024-05-21 07:17:26 Source：International Insight news portal

In a bid to toast to their English roots with more than just tea, Brits across the country are backing calls for St George's Day to become a national holiday.

A petition created on Change.org has so far been signed by more than 76,000 people, calling for Britons to be granted a day off on April 23 each year.

The movement aims to elevate St. George's Day from mere observance to an official bank holiday, which can grant Brits an annual opportunity to celebrate English 'culture' and 'heritage.'

Residents of England's most fervently patriotic estate have now raised their voices - and flags - in support of a national holiday for St George's Day.

Nestled among the bustling streets of Bermondsey in south east London, the Kirby Estate stands as a bastion of English pride, famed for its elaborate year-round display of English flags and bunting and mural of Lioness namesake Fran Kirby. 

Brits across the country are backing calls for St George's Day to become a national holiday - but, do you support the idea? (pictured: Kirby Estate in south east London)

To date, a petition created on Change.org has been signed by over 76,000 people, which calls for Britons to be granted a day off on April 23 each year

For these residents, every day is a celebration of their heritage, and they're not afraid to show it - but now, locals have voiced their own reasons for St George's Day to be recognised as a public holiday.

Speaking to the Sun, longtime resident Clive Boyton, 62, explained how a bank holiday could serve as an opportunity to showcase English hospitality. 

Poll

Do YOU think St George's day should be a national holiday?

Do YOU think St George's day should be a national holiday?

• Yes 287 votes
• No 15 votes
• I don't mind 7 votes

Now share your opinion

He said: 'People might have ideas about the estate from seeing the flags. But we have every nationality you could think of here - Moroccans, Colombians, Ukrainians.

'What I think is special about England from my travels is that we welcome everyone, we give everyone a chance to become English.

He added: 'That's why I like that we fly the St George's flag and have the murals on the estate. I'm amazed it isn't already a Bank Holiday, it should obviously be one.'

Brian, who hails from overseas, is another estate resident who has backed the calls - saying he is 'proud to be English.'

He added that he would be glad for an extra day off - although he is not sure of what he would do with it.

The campaign for the April 23 Bank Holiday was launched by John Kelly, a pensioner who lives in east London.

Residents of England's most fervently patriotic estate have now raised their voices - and flags - in support of a national holiday for St George's Day (pictured: Kirby estate in south east London)

The Kirby Estate stands as a bastion of English pride, famed for its elaborate year-round display of English flags and bunting and mural of Lionness namesake Fran Kirby.

Residents look out of a window draped with the flag of St George, as they watch the annual St George's day parade in Emsworth, Hampshire

Mayor of Havant, Councillor Peter Wade, places a red rose on the jacket of a member of the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, as they take part in the annual St George's day parade in Emsworth, Hampshire.

The petition aims to elevate St. George's Day from mere observance to an official bank holiday, which can grant Brits an annual opportunity to celebrate English 'culture' and 'heritage'

In the petition, he wrote: 'St. George's Day, celebrated on April 23rd, is an important day for English heritage and culture, yet it is not recognized as a national holiday in England. 

'This lack of recognition stands in contrast to the other home nations within the UK - Scotland celebrates St. Andrew's Day, Wales honors St. David's Day and Northern Ireland observes St. Patrick's Day as public holidays.

'St. George has been the patron saint of England since the 14th century and his emblem, a red cross on a white background, is incorporated into the Union Jack flag representing unity among nations in the UK.'

He added: 'Recognising this day as a national holiday would provide an opportunity for people across England to celebrate their shared history and cultural identity while also acknowledging their unique contribution to the United Kingdom.'

It comes as a new poll has reveals that one in eight Labour voters think the English flag is 'racist' and 'divisive' and 'should not be displayed.'

Related articles