Should May Day move to October?

SEASIDE MP John Penrose is urging the public to give their views on his controversial plans to move the historic May Day bank holiday to the end of October.

The Weston-super-Mare Tory was tasked by David Cameron to come up with ways to promote growth in tourism – the sixth largest UK industry.

His plans include creating a longer visitor season by moving the first public holiday in May to October 21 and renaming it Trafalgar Day to mark the historic battle. Another option is to bring it forward by a few weeks to coincide with St George’s Day in April.

The tourism minister’s proposals infuriated union leaders, who accused the government of wanting to move it for ideological reasons.

Critics also said shifting it to October could mean the holiday would be hit by bad weather.

Now, everyone can make their views heard by contributing to an internet discussion which will be used to finalise the proposals before they go out to formal consultation later this year.

Mr Penrose said: “We’ve all recently enjoyed two long four-day weekends courtesy of the Royal wedding and the Easter break.

“I’m well aware there will be

many who relished the chance of taking a long extended holiday but equally many may have preferred to spread the public holidays further apart.

“I’ve made clear from the start our proposal to move the May Bank Holiday is not based on any particular preferred option – I want to hear what people think.

“At the heart of our plans are a desire to extend the tourism season and hopefully encourage more people to holiday at home, but I’m open to all views.”

To make your views known go to

www.culture.gov.uk/consultations/8068.aspx or join the debate on Twitter using the hashtag #bankhol by June 9.