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Islanders are in for a double long weekend in May 2020 after politicians approved an extra bank holiday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Liberation Day.
Next year’s Liberation Day actually falls on Saturday 9 May, so the Chief Minister proposed that the day before (Friday 8) become a designated day off in equal recognition of VE day.
With Monday 4 May also a bank holiday, the idea drew concern from some States Members over the potential impact of a three-day week on local businesses.
1/2. Chief Minister @John_Le_Fondre says #Liberation75 is to honour with pride those who endured the Occupation & those who fought overseas for the liberation of Europe. He says our standard of living improved dramatically as a result & that the world in which we live is one...
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) September 24, 2019
2/2. ...that is "far freer and safer" than it was in 1945. He addresses those who say it'll be an extra burden on our #economy, saying the 75th anniversary deserves special commemoration to celebrate the freedom returned to #JerseyCI. #StatesAssembly
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) September 24, 2019
To avoid this, Deputy Steve Luce instead suggested that the anniversary of Jersey being freed from occupying Nazi forces be celebrated on Monday 11 May.
But the proposal was rejected when put to the vote with just five in favour and 34 against.
Deputy Steve Luce proposes that the bank holiday should be on Mon 11th May, not Fri 8th. The #StatesAssembly has voted to REJECT his proposition. RESULT: 5 FOR vs 34 AGAINST. #Liberation75
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) September 24, 2019
Following this, Senator Sarah Ferguson urged the government to cancel Monday 4 May as a bank holiday, as has been done in other jurisdictions like the UK, which has shifted the early May bank holiday to the Friday to mark VE Day.
In the end, politicians unanimously voted to approve Friday 8 May as a one-off bank holiday.
The #StatesAssembly has voted to ADOPT the Chief Minister’s @John_Le_Fondre proposition to make Friday 8th May 2020 a bank holiday. RESULT: 39 FOR vs 0 AGAINST #Liberation75 #JerseyCI
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) September 24, 2019
It means that islanders will get to enjoy two long weekends in a row.
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