TIME TO SLAY DRAGON OF NO ST GEORGE CELEBRATIONS

1.27.55pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 2nd Apr 2004

Simon will organise St George celebrations when elected Mayor

Following the failure of Mayor Livingstone to organise an event to celebrate St George's Day for the 23rd April, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, Simon Hughes, has today tabled a House of Commons motion calling for celebrations to be held for England's patron saint.

The Early Day Motion tabled by Simon Hughes welcomes the celebrations held for St Patrick, but has pledged that when elected in June he would organise celebrations for all the Patron Saints of the UK, and celebrations for national days of communities now resident in London.

In November a spokesman for Mr Livingstone said "The mayor has gone on the record as saying there are plans to mark St George's Day this year." He has clearly failed to keep his promise.

Simon said:-

"Mr Livingstone promised that there would be celebrations to mark St George's Day, yet like the last three New Year celebrations nothing has happened. Celebrations for Patron Saints and national days are an ideal way of bringing together all communities who call London home.

"As Mayor I would work with all Londoners to make sure that everyone in the capital has something to enjoy. We should celebrate being the most diverse city in the world.

"It is time to make London fun. A St George's day celebration would be a fun and exciting way for the all Londoners to feel part of a community."

ENDS

Notes to editor

The Early Day motion reads

CELEBRATIONS FOR PATRON SAINTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

This House notes the popularity of the St Patrick's Day celebrations in London; welcomes celebrations of national days and patron saint days as way of involving our diverse communities by celebrating in safe and exciting ways; notes with concern that for the capital city of the United Kingdom no proper celebrations have been planned for the patron saints of any other countries; and believes that future Mayors of London should initiate and support celebrations for St George, St Patrick and St David; as well as other national days for other communities who now have London as their home

Simon Hughes

Edward Davey

Vincent Cable

Paul Burstow

Mr Livingstone press spokesman is quoted about the St George's Day plans on:-

http://www.bombardier.co.uk/detail.php?id=788

Mayor Livingstone has said:-

"I have yet to see any evidence of a tradition or culture of celebrating St George's Day as a public festival."