Joint Statement From The Leaders Of The Opposition Parties In The National Assembly For Wales.

12.00.00am GMT Tue 1st Mar 2005

Three opposition leaders in the National Assembly have joined together to press Rhodri Morgan to implement the Assembly's desire to make St David's Day a bank Holiday in Wales.

Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the historic vote - one of the first unanimous votes in the Assembly's history - the three leaders have called on the First Minister to make a more compelling attempt to persuade Westminster to enact the Assembly's decision.

In a joint statement Ieuan Wyn Jones (Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales), Nick Bourne (Welsh Conservatives) and Mike German (Welsh Liberal Democrats) said:

"Five years ago the First Minister voted with every other AM to make St David's Day a bank holiday. 1826 days later, there is still no sign of action beyond a handful of half-hearted letters. His attempts so far have lacked conviction, and we are calling on him to make a proper effort on a matter of importance to Wales' culture and identity.

"Rhodri Morgan often talks about the benefits of strong Labour links between Cardiff Bay and Westminster, but they have proved of little use to anyone here in Wales. The desires of Wales are being stifled by London Labour and Rhodri Morgan's ineffective leadership."

Notes:

On 1 March 2000, the Assembly voted unanimously to seek approval to make St David's Day a bank holiday.

The motion read:

This Assembly recognises St David's Day as an opportunity to promote a vibrant and confident Wales and to lead a campaign for 1 March to be a public holiday.

The matter has been blocked by successive Wales Office Ministers Paul Murphy and Peter Hain under a variety of excuses.

The facts remain that the UK already has asymmetric bank holidays, with Scotland and Northern Ireland celebrating different days to England and Wales. Moreover, the UK has fewer bank holidays than the European average. School Eisteddfodau or other events would not be harmed, as these would take place on another day, as happens when St David's Day falls on the weekend.