By Isle of Wight Observer
Island resident, Martin Cave, took to the streets in protest on Tuesday carrying St George’s flag. Martin walked from Northwood to Newport to challenge St George’s Day not being considered a public holiday.
He argued: “Last St George’s Day I was in conversation with a lady who had just moved to the Island from the Republic of Ireland. She said: “We Irish celebrate St Patrick’s Day and so do many English, so why don’t you do more to celebrate St George’s Day?” Who can argue with that?
“As we approach the General Election, none of the major parties will have a St George’s Day public holiday in their manifestos, arguing that it would damage the economy.
“Our fellow Brits in Scotland and Northern Ireland have public holidays on St Andrew’s and St Patrick’s Day, and Wales are on the verge of having one on St David’s Day. Can you imagine any future government saying to the three home nations that they will have to cancel their saints’ public holidays because it’s damaging the economy?”
Mal Butler