LIBERATION Day has been designated Jersey’s official national day by a vote in the States Assembly.
And politicians also decided yesterday to adopt Beautiful Jersey as the Island’s official anthem.
The move to formalise the status of 9 May as Jersey’s version of Bastille Day in France or Independence Day in the United States came in a proposition by Deputy Carolyn Labey, who headed the recent Island Identity project.
Deputy Labey said a recent consultation exercise yielded almost 2,500 responses, with 80% of those taking part supporting Liberation Day as their preferred option.
Although the day marking the anniversary of the Island’s five-year Occupation by German forces during the Second World War was well established, Deputy Labey said the move would strengthen community spirit, preserve the date’s historical significance into the future and enhance Jersey’s international profile.
“This would be a tangible step to a stronger, more unified community,” she said. “It would honour the past, strengthen the present and inspire the future.”
Some Members spoke against the move: Deputy Helen Miles argued it was unnecessary, saying Liberation Day was already serving as Jersey’s de facto national day, while Deputy Tom Coles said he believed formalising the date might “dilute” its significance.
Liberation Day was not always considered a celebratory occasion, Deputy Malcom Ferey pointed out. In the decades immediately following the war, many Islanders wished to forget about the Occupation, rather than celebrate, he added.
Deputy Philip Ozouf said that while he supported the move, he was concerned that in debating such matters Members were guilty of not dealing with Islanders’ priorities.
The Liberation Day proposal was backed by 34 to seven when it came to the vote, with Deputies Steve Ahier, Tom Coles, Alex Curtis, Helen Miles, Geoff Southern and Rob Ward against it, alongside Constable Richard Honeycombe. Deputy Elaine Millar abstained.
Earlier Members had also supported an amendment from Deputy Montfort Tadier that Beautiful Jersey – also known by the Jèrriais title Man Bieau P’tit Jèrri – should become the Island’s official anthem.
Deputy Tadier’s anthem move was supported by Members at the vote by 33 to nine, but the St Brelade representative was unsuccessful in a further suggestion that 28 September, the anniversary of the Corn Riots, which took place in 1771, should also be given national day status alongside 9 May. Members rejected the latter move by 27 to 17.
