Calls for a new bank holiday have grabbed plenty of attention in recent months. Thomas Cook’s petition for a new bank holiday, launched on Boxing Day, has already been signed by over 200,000 people. More recently, GMTV dedicated an entire week to debating four possible candidates for a new bank holiday. Even Gordon Brown contributed - the ongoing debate about the best candidate for a new bank holiday has reached his attention.
 
The fact that ‘Diana day’ predictably emerged as the most popular candidate amongst GMTV viewers shouldn't dampen what was still a refreshing debate about how best to celebrate a new bank holiday.

The huge public interest in a new bank holiday is hardly surprising, given that we Brits get a measly eight a year, the second lowest in Europe. And with long hours enjoying a renaissance after a decade of progress, an extra bank holiday could be just the ticket to getting our work-life balance back on track.

Encouragingly, a recent poll from Thomas Cook has also revealed that there is also political support for a new bank holiday – 57% of MPs supported the introduction of a new autumn bank holiday.

The poll highlighted a stark party political divide over support for a new bank holiday, with 72% of Labour MPs and 64% of Lib Dem MPs in favour, compared to just 25% of Conservative MPs. The most likely reason for the Tories’ opposition is the belief that the business lobby are opposed to an extra day off work. After all, bank holidays are estimated to cost the economy £2 billion.

However, this hostility is not set in stone and Community Day has several unique benefits to overcome any doubts about the need for a new bank holiday. Community Day will improve people’s health, enable them to gain new skills, help to recruit more volunteers and community activists and give Britain’s community groups the recognition they deserve. These benefits far outweigh the economic cost of a new bank holiday. Given the enthusiasm the Tories have shown for the voluntary sector under David Cameron, there is no reason why they can’t be persuaded of the benefits of a Community Day that celebrates and encourages community activity and the work of volunteers.

There is already a strong groundswell of support among Labour and the Lib Dems, so the challenge now is to persuade both political parties that Community Day is the best candidate for a new bank holiday. Given public support for a new bank holiday, Community Day would clearly be a vote winner. But it would be a bank holiday with a purpose and can offer so much more to Britain’s communities than just another day off work.