Labour to give workers a break and bring our four nations together with four new national holidays
Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, will announce Labour’s plan to give Britain’s workers the break they deserve and bring our four nations together with four new national holidays for the whole of the United Kingdom.
Under Labour’s proposals, UK-wide public holidays will be held on St, David’s Day (1st March), St Patrick’s Day (17th March), St. George’s Day (23rd April) and St. Andrew’s Day (30th November). With eight public holidays, the UK currently has the fewest of any G20 or EU country.
Speaking on St George’s Day to announce the policy, Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, said:
“For years, Britain’s workers haven’t had a proper pay rise, with wages for most people still below 2007 levels. After seven years of painful austerity, our workers deserve a break – and under a Labour government, they will have the opportunity of four more days off a year.
“The four nations that make up our great country have rarely been more divided due to the damaging and divisive policies of this Conservative government.
“But where Theresa May divides, Labour will unite our four nations. A Labour government will make St George’s Day – England’s national day and Shakespeare’s birthday – a public holiday, along with St David’s Day, St Andrew’s Day and St Patrick’s Day.
“And we will ask for the support of the governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland so that the same four holidays can be enjoyed across the United Kingdom.
“These holidays will be a chance for workers to spend time with their families, in their communities and with their friends.
“But they will also be a chance to celebrate the national cultures of our proud nations.
“The next Labour government will give workers the break they deserve and bring our country closer together.”
Carolyn Harris, Labour MP for Swansea East said:
“I remember my school days when we had a half day on St David’s Day and I have always longed for it to be a recognised holiday for all the hard working people of Wales, wherever they may be in the U.K.”
The Leader of Welsh Labour, Carwyn Jones said:
“Welsh Labour has long been in favour of making St David’s day a public holiday in Wales. Today’s pledge would make that a reality for the 1.4 million hardworking people across Wales.”
