The government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will not recognise the day of the Eurovision grand final as a national holiday.
That’s the rather unsurprising news coming out of Parliament after a petition from Eurovision fans was summarily rejected.
The petition, which is posted on the Parliamentary petition web site, suggests that Eurovision could bring people together at a time the country is marred in political and social division. It reads as follows:
“Make the day of the Eurovision Song Contest final a national holiday.”
“The Eurovision Song Contest is a celebration of European culture and history. The U.K. should aim to to be as involved as possible in order to promote European integration, cooperation and peace, at a time of great political strife and division in Europe.”
“Last year, over 180 million people worldwide viewed the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. The host country, Portugal was able to showcase their culture, art, history and modern image. By making it a national holiday, we will increase participation and interest in the contest, thereby increasing education about modern Europe and celebration of European culture among the population, as well as potentially getting the opportunity to present the UK ‘s culture if we win.”
Parliament was unmoved, rejecting the petition and pointing out one rather big flaw in logic: Eurovision isn’t held on a working day, so no holiday is needed. People can party all they want.
“It’s not clear what the petition is asking the UK Government or Parliament to do.”
“Petitions need to call on the UK Government or Parliament to take a specific action.”
“The final of Eurovision is traditionally held on a Saturday. We are therefore not sure what action you would like the UK Government or Parliament to take.”
What laughable absurdity! I can’t believe enough people actually signed this in order for it to be considered by the parliament.
It never ceases to amaze me that the fans are so determined to make Eurovision an actual joke and how well they succeed in doing that. I say it again, the worst enemies of the Eurovision are their fans… What a sad story…
Nobody cares about the UK in eurovision. Sorry to say.
I mean… why would it be? They’ve been flopping lately.
Were they actually expecting to be taken seriously? Lol…
Haha, good joke!
Indeed. What will they do in May, if or when the ESC is suspended, terminated or retired?
Kinda funny that they tried I guess. Not surprised though lmao
Done!
As a country, it seems as if we’re trying to embarrass ourselves as much as possible lately. I’m a long-standing ESC fan – it’s shocking that Parliament’s time has been wasted when there are many more important issues that remain unresolved
They respond to every petition sent in. Just almost every single one gets rejected.
UK Eurofans, except for a tiny few of them are one the shames of the ESC Fandom. Really guys, the ESC Final is held on Saturday when most people are at home, get a grip
Please don’t blame most of the UK fandom because ONE naïve idiot starts a petition.
Um… Ok then?
Absolutely bloody ridiculous.
lol
Can I point out a flaw with the flaw that the government pointed out……Saturday IS most definately a working day…what century are these people living in. The days of a Monday to Friday job disappeared long ago. Get real parliament.
Depending on the kind of work, many a job still have Saturdays off.
Even if Saturday is on the weekend, making it a national holiday would mean that people get double pay!
Retail workers, health service workers, public transport workers, restaurant/bar staff etc. etc. would disagree with the notion that Saturday is not a working day.
Such a random idea for a petition but it sounds really lovely and actually possible, the grand final of ESC still remains one of the most watched annual events in UK and among BBC’s highest rated shows every year too despite the general negative reception Eurovision gets in the country, X Factor & Britain’s Got Talent even get lower viewing figures now!
Even if we won, we wouldn’t have a national holiday the next week. Portugal won after 53 years and did they have one…no!