Petition · past parliament
The 23 June should be designated as Independence Day, and celebrated annually.
Closed
21,292 signatures
What the petition asks
If we leave the EU, the UK will be an independent country for the first time since 1974
Government response · 14 July 2016
There are no current plans to create another public holiday. Whilst an additional bank holiday may benefit some sectors, the cost to the economy of an additional bank holiday remains considerable.
Over the years there have been various suggestions from the public for new bank holidays, such as a new national day to promote a British identity to reflect the different histories and traditions which vary from country to country. The Government regularly receives requests for additional bank and public holidays to celebrate a variety of occasions. However, there are no current plans to create another permanent public holiday. The current pattern is well established and accepted. Whilst an additional bank holiday may benefit some communities and sectors, the cost to the economy of an additional bank holiday remains considerable.
The most recent assessment following an Impact Assessment (IA) for the additional holiday for the Diamond Jubilee is that a bank holiday (across the UK as a whole) costs employers around £1.2bn.
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
The most recent assessment following an Impact Assessment (IA) for the additional holiday for the Diamond Jubilee is that a bank holiday (across the UK as a whole) costs employers around £1.2bn.
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Debate in Parliament
MPs debated this petition on 17 October 2016.
Timeline
| 3 Mar 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 25 Jun 2016 | Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response |
| 14 Jul 2016 | Government responded |
| 3 Sep 2016 | Closed to new signatures |
| 17 Oct 2016 | Debated in Parliament |
Key facts
Signatures
21,292
Status
Closed
Opened
3 Mar 2016
Closed
3 Sep 2016
Response
14 Jul 2016
Debated
17 Oct 2016
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.