Should we have an extra bank holiday (British national day) in November?

Mike Ion Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:40:43 AM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

The influential think tank ippr is suggesting that Gordon Brown establish a British national day as an extra bank holiday on the Monday immediately after Remembrance Sunday in November.



The report argues that the new bank holiday could act as a national ‘thank you’ for community heroes and as a national ‘ask’ for people to give back to their communities. The ippr report also suggests that the honours system should be simplified to just three different grades instead of the current 21 honours and that titles should no longer refer to the British Empire. It argues that the awarding of civic honours should no longer be mixed up with political appointments and that the link between elitism and the honours system should be broken by ending the tradition of awarding automatic honours to senior civil servants.

What do you think? Would a new 'British national' bank holiday be a good idea?

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Should we have an extra bank holiday (British national day) in November? | 1 comment (1 topical)

Re: Should we have a British national holiday? (#1)

by NorthernMonkey on Fri Aug 31, 2007 at 12:21:18 AM GMT

I would certainly support the idea of a British national holiday and I think Brown seems quite keen on the idea too. Practically every other sovereign nation on earth has a national holiday so why shouldn't we? We have a lot to be proud of in this country (especially with a Labour govt. in charge) and a national day would also help to bring a bit of cohesion between all the different communities. I'm sure it would also annoy Alex Salmond too, which can only be a good thing!


But I don't agree that it should be in November. Why put it in a winter month when the weather is likely to be bad and it will get dark early? It should be held in the summer when it's a bit more likely to be warm and sunny and people can go out for the day, have barbeques, enjoy firework displays without freezing to death etc.


We already have Christmas and New Year as big winter celebrations as well as Guy Fawkes' Night in November, so why another celebration then? And putting it right after Remembrance Day means it won't exactly have a 'happy' feel to it will it?


I'd be inclined to hold it on the Queen's Official Birthday in June (since she is the Head of State), although I imagine the more republican elements of Labour might not be thrilled at that idea! It's already a national holiday in Australia and Canada, so why not here? Plus she gives the honours out too, so that all ties together nicely.


With regards to the honours system - I doubt it will get changed as the system is so complex as it is, it would require breaking with lots of traditional, historical and Commonwealth-based systems and I doubt Brown will have the desire or energy for it (especially when he should be concentrating on reforming the Lords).


Should we have an extra bank holiday (British national day) in November? | 1 comment (1 topical)