A June 19 deadline has been set for a petition on the Parliamentary website calling on the Labour Party government to introduce a new bank holiday for the UK. The petition urges the government to make Armistice Day a bank holiday, moving an existing May bank holiday to November 11.
Petition Details
Created by Gary Elliott, the petition closes on 19 June 2026, leaving little time to reach the 10,000 signature threshold required for a government response. The petition states: "Move one of the current bank holidays from May to the 11th November. To remember our fallen service men and women and to teach future generations of their sacrifices."
Elliott added: "Armistice Day is currently a public holiday in France, who was our ally in the last two world wars and we think we should align with them once again." He also noted that Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, and the Spring bank holiday all fall in quick succession, so a bank holiday later in the year between August bank holiday and Christmas would be beneficial.
Background on Armistice Day
Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, takes place every year on November 11 to commemorate all people who have died in wars. It marks the end of World War One, with a two-minute silence observed at 11am. Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday of November for additional tributes.
The petition can be signed now. If it reaches 10,000 signatures, the government will respond. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament. The petition remains open until June 19, 2026, giving supporters just over two weeks to add their signatures.
