A campaign calling for a permanent Jubilee bank holiday has been launched in a bid to “maintain spirit of the community for years to come”.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations have fallen across four days, with the Thursday and Friday being bank holidays.
But while this is only expected to be the case this year, a coalition of business leaders, broadcasters and charities are urging for the Friday to be a bank holiday every year.
A campaign is calling for a permanent Jubilee bank holiday
Daniel Leal
Her Majesty is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee this weekend
Jonathan Brady
The group have titled their campaign “Thank Holiday” and have sent a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson putting across their views.
The letter reads: “As we start a weekend of unprecedented national celebrations we write as a group of leaders from across businesses, charities, trade unions and the arts to urge the government to help maintain this spirit of community in the years to come.
“The pandemic showed us how dependent we are on each other but too often we take community for granted and don't recognise the importance it has in both our personal and national wellbeing.
“There are of course many ways to address this but one of them is to create a day in our national calendar that recognises community and service in all its forms, from the key workers to volunteers and simply good neighbours.
“Rather than abolishing this day why not turn it into an annual Thank Holiday where we celebrate community and service in all its forms?”
Those who have signed the letter include House of Lords member General Lord Dannatt and Tony Danker, director-general of the CBI.
The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations will continue tomorrow with the Epsom Derby, while a Platinum Party at the Palace concert will take place in the evening.