Britain's Labour party promises more public holidays

Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, speaks on the campaign trail in Warrington April 22, 2017.

Leftist leader Jeremy Corbyn said the measure would "give workers the break they deserve".

By AFP

Published: Sun 23 Apr 2017, 9:11 PM

Last updated: Sun 23 Apr 2017, 11:15 PM

Britain's opposition Labour party promised on Sunday to introduce four new public holidays if it wins the June snap election, marking the patron saints days of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Leftist leader Jeremy Corbyn said the measure would "give workers the break they deserve" while also uniting the four nations, whose ties have been strained by the vote to leave the European Union.
Corbyn has an uphill battle to beat Prime Minister Theresa May's centre-right Conservatives in the June 8 vote, with weekend opinion polls putting Labour between 11 and 25 points behind the ruling party. May wants a mandate for the Brexit negotiations, which will start after the election, but Labour is emphasising the government's record of spending cuts.
"These holidays will be a chance for workers to spend time with their families, in their communities and with their friends," Corbyn said.
"But they will also be a chance to celebrate the national cultures of our proud nations."
The holidays would be held on the days of St George - patron saint of England - St Andrew (Scotland), St David (Wales) and St Patrick (Northern Ireland).