Letter: Shropshire Star

Why can’t we have a special day for saint?

Earlier this year a pub landlord in Norfolk applied for a late licence to allow his regulars to celebrate St George’s Day. For the second time in two years he was refused a late licence on the grounds that it is not a special day in England.

When he made his first application two years ago, he was told to come back this year with evidence that St George’s Day is a special occasion. So he did.

He turned up at the magistrates court with a large group of supporters, hundreds of letters and assorted reporters and TV crews.

The magistrate still said no, so he appealed to the High Court. A High Court judge refused the appeal on the grounds that he was also of the opinion that St George’s Day is not a special day and the magistrate was right to refuse the late licence.

One of the reasons given for it not being a special day was the lack of national celebrations like those seen on St Patrick’s Day.

Ask yourself this: When was the last time your local council or the Government did anything to promote St George’s Day?

They are happy to hold festivals for Diwali, Eid, St Patrick’s Day, Chinese New Year — anything except St George’s Day.

Anything, as long as the English are denied the right to celebrate their culture, history or nationality.

What are they so afraid of? Why do the Government go out of their way to offend 50 million people?

Perhaps David Wright MP can explain why his party is intent on denying the English their national identity whilst spending billions on ensuring the rest of the UK can promote theirs?

When I asked him why he was opposed to an English parliament when it was plainly obvious that England was being discriminated against he simply refused to answer me and any subsequent correspondence from me doesn’t even prompt an acknowledgement.

Stuart Parr
Telford