John Leech MP backs St. George's holiday campaign

2.34.59pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 5th Apr 2007

John Leech MP has backed moves in Parliament to turn St. George's Day into a national holiday in England.

"While Scotland and Wales have celebrated their patron saints' days for years, England has not used St. George's Day as an occasion to celebrate the achievements of what is a great country," said John Leech.

"Some say that the fact that St. George was born in a foreign country means that he does not represent England," he continued. "But for me, England is about the wonderful diversity of the people who live here, many of whom were born thousands of miles away. Only by celebrating our diversity and collective achievements can we reclaim nationalism from those on the far-right who seek to subvert it.

"St. George's Day is a brilliant opportunity for our country to show the pride we should have in our culture, society and history. Many local businesses in my constituency fly the English flag with pride around St. George's Day and I think that all public buildings in England should follow suit."

<<ENDS>>

Notes to editors:

John Leech MP has signed Early Day Motion 1204, the text of which is set out below:

ST. GEORGE'S DAY (No. 2)

22.03.2007

Rosindell, Andrew

That this House looks forward to celebrating St. George's Day on Monday 23rd April; believes that the day of England's patron saint is an opportunity for all the people of England to celebrate their country's heritage, culture and traditions; calls upon Her Majesty's Government to mark the occasion by ensuring that the Cross of St. George flag is flown from all public buildings on this day; encourages local authorities, schools, organisations and businesses to do likewise; and further calls upon all hon. Members to support the campaign to establish 23rd April as an annual public holiday for England in celebration of the country's great achievements, pride and history.

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