Party of Wales Gwynedd Councillors' Group

The silence and lack of response from the Welsh Labour Government to Cyngor Gwynedd’s request for the right to mark the first of March as a national bank holiday in Wales is “a disgrace to the whole nation” according to one Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Councillor, Elwyn Edwards, Llandderfel, pictured.

The response to Gwynedd Councillors' request for a bank holiday status from the Westminster Government's Business and Trade Department, was negative.

MP Justin Madders says in his letter that it would cost too much to mark our nation's patron saint as a recognised bank holiday, despite the fact that the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland are allowed to recognise their national Saints as bank holiday events.

"...while an additional bank holiday may benefit some communities and sectors, the cost to the economy of an additional bank holiday is considerable.... the [Westminster] Government has no current plans to change the well-established and accepted pattern of bank holidays in Wales."

Back in October, Cyngor Gwynedd passed a motion at full council to ask Westminster Government to transfer the right to designate the first of March each year as an official national holiday to the Welsh Government in Cardiff.

The proposal was made by Plaid Cymru Gwynedd and Llandderfel Councillor, Elwyn Edwards: “What upsets me is the fact that the Welsh Labour Government has declared its support to us previously, but now they are in power in Cardiff and London, not a single word has come from the Labour party in Cardiff to our request. We are being completely ignored!

“On top of the disgrace of being treated as second class citizens in our own country, it is ironic that both Labour governments now run Senedd Cymru and Westminster Parliament, but we continue to receive a lukewarm response. Would it be a such a chore to see the Labour party working together at both levels of government to give a nation of people the right to celebrate a significant occasion for its residents?"

Plaid Cymru Councillor for Tregarth and Mynydd Llandygai, Beca Roberts (pictured) and Chair of Cyngor Gwynedd, who sent the letters to both governments back in October said: “It is seriously disappointing that the Welsh Government cannot even reply to our letter. It shows a complete lack of respect to the residents of Gwynedd.

“I am extremely disappointed that the Labour party in Cardiff supported Cyngor Gwynedd’s request for a national bank holiday on the first of March back in 2021, yet when the two governments are of the same political background, no response is forthcoming from Cardiff. We were full of hope to see this matter resolved through Labour’s collaboration in Cardiff and Westminster. We will continue in our endeavours!”

Back in October 2021, Gwynedd councillorsvoted unanimously to give the majority of council staff a day off on St David's Day 2022. To thank the staff for their hard work and dedication during the challenging period of the pandemic, the national holiday was welcomed to mark St David's Day. Due to the harrowing financial cuts from Westminster, it was unfortunately not possible for Gwynedd to continue with the bank holiday.

Councillor Beca Roberts said: “As the largest employer in the county, offering a day's holiday to our staff on St David's Day would highlight this important national occasion within our culture, language and heritage. It is high time that councils and other public organisations are able to ensure that all workers from all sectors have a national day of holiday to celebrate St David's Day on the first of March.

"The economic success of St. Patrick's public holiday in Ireland is evidence of what is possible. There is the same potential for Wales to benefit economically too, so we call, once again for our governments to show respect to our residents and nation so we can mark our patron saint’s celebration day.”

Councillor Elwyn Edwards said in conclusion: “We will only see change when Plaid Cymru governs in Senedd Cymru. The Labour party in Westminster has no interest in promoting our nation’s identity nor the interests of our people.”