Steve Broadhurst, Lib Dem candidate for Denton & Reddish, today observed: “After walking around Tameside, Denton and Reddish and whilst meeting with the constituents, I was dismayed to see the lack of patriotism on this of all days. St. George’s day indeed, if you didn’t know you wouldn’t have known. The only two things I saw was a ‘court jester’ outside Tameside Council Offices (they were also flying the Union Flag at half mast) and two ladies on a hen night with the George Cross painted onto their ‘wedding’ dresses.

“Scotland and Northern Ireland have a Bank Holiday for their patron saints. Why can’t England do the same? St. George’s Day is a brilliant opportunity for our country to come together and show the pride we have in our culture, society and history and fly the English flag with pride. I think a new Bank Holiday for St. George’s Day would be a great way to celebrate our wonderful country.

“I for one have decided to follow the American example and have started to wear our National flag in my lapel. Please click and register your support for a Bank Holiday to celebrate St. George’s Day.”

Find out more about the campaign to make St George’s Day a bank holiday here