May Day bank holiday to be MOVED for VE Day celebrations - plans REVEALED
MAY Day bank holiday could be moved further along in the month to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Germany's unconditional surrender to Europe.
UK: Scuffles break out at London May Day rally
British ministers are poised to move May Day from May 4 to May 8 so the date falls on Victory in Europe Day. Business secretary Greg Clark has called for bank holiday to be shifted as there is no formal holiday to honour the momentous occasion. Victory in Europe Day marks the time the Allies of Nazi Germany accepted their unconditional surrender, bringing World War 2 to an end.
Mr Clark reportedly wrote a letter to Chancellor Philip Hammond asking for the date to be moved.
In a letter seen by The Times, he said: "I believe that the country should be allowed to commemorate this great occasion, and to recall those who sacrificed their lives in the Second World War on behalf of us all.
"It would be a tragedy if this date slipped from the minds of the general public."
He added: "Although the date of Armistice Day [marking the end of the First World War on November 11, 1918] is well known across the country because of the events on
Remembrance Sunday, I believe the day of VE Day may be less well known.
"It would be a tragedy if this date slipped from the minds of the general public."
The move can be achieved by a royal proclamation under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, and does not require an act of Parliament.
However, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) last night called for the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day to be given a separate bank holiday.
Ms O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC told the Times: "May Day and the 75th VE anniversary are both special days and celebrating them should not come at the expense of each other.
"The government should give people time off for both."