Make Veterans' Day a Bank Holiday

The idea to make Veterans' Day - which is held at the end of June - a national Bank Holiday is one I back wholeheartedly.

The idea is one of a number proposed by Labour MP Quentin Davies, who has a long history of interest in and support for our armed services. There has been some debate recently - but still not what I would regard as a proper national debate - about the respect, or lack therof we afford our servicemen and women.

There is also a reticence - which I understand - not to be as brashly cheerleading in our support of our armed forces, as some other countries are: simply put it's not the way we do things. I'm not suggesting that we need to wear our patriotism on our sleeves to quite the same extent just to prove that we support our troops - but equally, there has been some unacceptable prejudice against soldiers in uniform and it's time to say this is wrong and that we're proud of the job they do. Soldiers should be proud to wear their uniform wherever, whenever - and be made welcome when they do.

So I think devoting a new public bank holiday to the sacrifice and dedication our soldiers give - and to spend some time reflecting on that contribution as a result - is perfectly fitting.

For information Veterans' Day this year, which obviously isn't a Bank Holiday, falls on Friday 27th June, as you can see from the logo above. But let's hope that come 2009 it will be.