Bank Holidays for Patriots: Let England Celebrate Itself
A new bank holiday for Patriots
In England, we’re good at apologising for ourselves. We queue, we mumble, we let others shout louder. And while the rest of Europe sips spritz in the sunshine on some national holiday or other, we’re back at our desks — heads down, grafting, still paying the highest taxes in decades.
St George’s Day comes and goes every April 23rd like an embarrassed whisper. No flags. No fanfare. No day off. Meanwhile in Ireland, St Patrick's Day is a full-blown festival of parades, pride, and Guinness-fuelled joy. In Scotland and Wales, the days of St Andrew and St David still aren’t public holidays either. Why not?
From a Reform UK point of view, this is another case of Britain forgetting who we are. Or worse — being afraid to say it out loud. National pride is treated like something dangerous or suspicious. But it shouldn’t be. It should be celebrated.
The Absurd Imbalance
Let’s start with a simple fact: we get fewer bank holidays than almost any other country in Europe.
England and Wales: 8
Scotland: 9
France: 11
Germany: Up to 13 (depending on region)
Spain: 14
Austria: 13
Sweden: 11
Poland: 13
Somehow, the country that kickstarted the Industrial Revolution is still acting like it never ended. We’re told that taking time off is bad for business — but the opposite is true. Studies from the ONS and European counterparts show public holidays increase domestic tourism, boost hospitality and retail, and even improve mental health and workplace productivity in the long run.
What’s So Special About St George’s Day?
Let’s be honest: most of us grew up vaguely knowing that St George did something brave with a dragon. The details? A bit hazy. But the image? Iconic.
According to legend, George — a Roman soldier — faced off with a fire-breathing beast that was terrorising a town, demanding human sacrifices (as dragons do). One day, it was the king’s daughter who was next on the menu. Enter George, on horseback, with a spear, who slayed the dragon, rescued the princess, and converted the locals to Christianity. That’s the sort of bold action that earns you a flag.
In reality, George was a Christian martyr from the 3rd century who defied a Roman Emperor’s persecution. He refused to renounce his faith and was executed for it. Over time, he became a symbol of courage, chivalry, and standing up for what’s right — not a bad patron for a country like ours.
By the 14th century, King Edward III had adopted him as England’s patron saint. For hundreds of years, April 23rd was celebrated with parades, feasts, and patriotic pride. It’s only recently that we’ve let it fade into obscurity, replaced by anxiety over whether flying a red-and-white flag might “offend someone.”
Reform UK says: enough of that.
The Case for More Holidays
Let’s get practical. This isn’t just about tradition — it’s about the economy and our national wellbeing.
Public holidays:
Boost the hospitality sector (pubs, restaurants, hotels).
Drive domestic tourism, especially when linked to national identity.
Improves mental health and morale by breaking up long work stretches.
Encourage local spending instead of flying abroad.
Fosters and encourages some national pride
A well-timed public holiday in late April could be a welcome lift for millions of workers — and a stimulus for British businesses. Why do other countries get this and we don’t?
We work hard. We deserve time to breathe.
My Modest Proposal: A UK of Celebration
Here’s a simple idea: every nation in the UK should have its own national day recognised as an official bank holiday.
Let’s be equal. Let’s be fair. Let’s be proud.
And no — this doesn’t mean scrapping other holidays. It means giving the people of each nation a day to come together, wave the flag, and feel good about where they’re from, Imagine that, focusing upon celebrating the best bits of our heritage rather than focusing on bit some people thing should be pulled down
A Bit of National Pride, A Bit of Common Sense
My party and its politics:
Reform UK is about more than borders and taxes.
It’s about belonging.
It’s about being unafraid to say: this is our country, our culture, and it matters.
We’ve spent too long embarrassed by who we are.
A St George’s Day bank holiday — and equivalent days for Wales and Scotland — would be a powerful, joyful reminder that national pride isn’t something to be whispered or feared.
It’s something to be celebrated.
We’ve earned a day off.
I propose we take as a holiday to be proud of who we are.
What do you think?