As St George’s Day approaches, Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell has reiterated his call for the occasion to be officially recognised as a public holiday in England. The MP, representing Romford, has long championed the cause, arguing that St George’s Day should be celebrated with the same level of importance as other national days across the UK.
Speaking in advance of the annual celebration on April 23rd, Rosindell emphasised the need for greater recognition of English culture and heritage, which he believes is often overshadowed by celebrations of other cultures and religions.
“I think there’s an attitude today where every other culture and religion is celebrated, but there’s a reluctance when it comes to celebrating our own,” Rosindell stated during an appearance on GB News. “This needs to change. We must stand up for our own traditions and heritage.”
Rosindell has previously tabled a ten-minute rule bill to make St George’s Day a national holiday. His comments reflect growing frustration among some politicians and the public about the perceived lack of recognition for England’s patron saint, whose feast day has historically not been afforded the same level of significance as those of patron saints in other parts of the UK.
A National Day for England?
Currently, St George’s Day is not a public holiday in England, although it is widely celebrated in various communities across the country. In contrast, Scotland’s St Andrew’s Day and Ireland’s St Patrick’s Day both enjoy official holiday status. Rosindell’s campaign seeks to bring St George’s Day into the same league, allowing for a day of reflection, celebration, and national pride.
“We need to reverse this trend of downplaying English culture. It’s important for us to take pride in who we are, and what better way to do that than by celebrating our patron saint with a day off?” Rosindell added.
As the debate over national identity continues, St George’s Day remains a symbol of England’s history and values, and for many, the call for it to be recognised as a public holiday is a matter of cultural pride and national unity.
Whether or not the campaign will gain significant traction in Parliament remains to be seen, but Rosindell’s message to the nation is clear: England’s patron saint deserves a day of official recognition.
