David Cameron has barely stepped away from the podium outside Downing Street and many prospective voters are still contemplating the prospect of a referendum in a matter of months. For some the announcement has come as a surprise, as the June 23rd date is a little closer than many had anticipated. Others, however, seem to be getting a little ahead of themselves and are calling for that date to be made a public holiday: British Independence Day.
If the campaign to leave is successful, will this lead to a national, annual celebration?
June 23rd is about the right time of year for a UK national holiday.
Many parents would appreciate the chance to take some time off with their kids for the summer holidays and thousands of us descend on Somerset for Glastonbury Festival around that time as well. In fact, the decision to hold this important vote at the same time as this year's music festival has not been lost on the more paranoid constituents that question the motives and timing of this sudden announcement. If the vote does come back in favour of the UK leaving the EU, June 23rd will indeed be the day that marks independence from a larger power that many feel is holding the country back. America celebrates Independence Day from Britain so this would arguably be no different. But would the move really be something that the nation is prepared to celebrate as a whole on an annual basis?
There is a chance that the Leave/Stay vote could be virtually split down the middle, with 49% of voters then taking a national holiday for something they disagreed with.
At the moment, all talk of a British Independence Day is just that. Twitter users and forum members are just spouting their knee-jerk reactions in a boastful attempt to show that the Leave campaign has momentum.
It won't be long, however, until this notion seeps into the strategies and the promises of those at the front of the campaign and keen, self-professed patriots start a petition for further support. June 23rd will be an important day in the history of Britain, no matter the result. The question is, what will be toasting or commiserating one year on?
