A National Day for Jersey

STATES OF JERSEY

A NATIONAL DAY FOR JERSEY

Lodged au Greffe on 3rd February 2025 by the Minister for International Development Earliest date for debate: 18th March 2025

STATES GREFFE

2025  P.6

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

that Liberation Day should be adopted as Jersey's official National Day.

MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

REPORT

The Island Identity Project

A consultation followed the recommendation made by the Island Identity Project, led by the Minister for International Development, to designate a National Day for Jersey. A National Day is a day which celebrates the nationhood of a state or its people and is often an official public holiday. Many countries have more than one National Day. Denmark and the United Kingdom are some of the only countries without an official National Day.[1]

The Island Identity Report Panel's aims were that, whatever our background or occupation, we can benefit from a shared understanding of what it means to be Jersey. These gestures build a sense of identity which remind the world that British does not automatically mean English. The designation of a National Day aims to support a stronger sense of citizenship and belonging for everyone who lives in Jersey, particularly in light of the Island's low rates of civic engagement reported by the OECD.[2]

Many Islanders already consider Liberation Day to be Jersey's National Day, which serves to recognise the sacrifice made by those who lived through the war and to bring Islanders together to celebrate the freedom which we can all enjoy today, regardless of our ethnic or cultural background. Formalising Liberation Day as Jersey's National Day would preserve this date's significance for future generations and signal its importance to those outside of Jersey. Indeed, in a rapidly changing international environment, the need to assert Jersey's distinct identity has never been more important.

The public were given the opportunity to have their say on whether Liberation Day – or an alternative day – should be officially recognised as the Island's National Day. The consultation, which took place from 18 November 2024 to 18 January 2025, asked the public whether Liberation Day or another day should be formally recognised as a National Day for Jersey. Alternative suggestions were prompted, with a list of alternative days set out in the original Island Identity Report. Details can be found in Appendix 1.

The States Assembly are therefore asked to decide whether Liberation Day should be given the recognised status of a National Day.

Consultation Process

The consultation comprised of an online and paper survey. It was felt that the consultation would be more constructive if the public were provided with a suggestion of a National Day to consider. Liberation Day was selected due to its cultural significance in Jersey and the fact that it is already considered by many to be Jersey's unofficial National Day. The consultation welcomed feedback from the public on this proposal, as well as alternative suggestions. A list of possible alternative days had been

originally suggested and listed in the panel's Report which is available on the Island Identity website.

The following communication channels were used to raise awareness of the consultation across the community:

• government social media posts;

• an advert in parish magazines and the JEP;

• paper surveys distributed to parish halls; and

• outreach work to schools, undertaken by L'Office du Jèrriais on behalf of the Island Identity project.

A number of stakeholders and representative groups3 were contacted directly about the consultation in November 2024 and invited to give feedback via the survey. L'Office du Jerriais undertook outreach work to ten local schools4 on behalf of the consultation, collecting 1,207 survey responses from young people.

Demographic data was not collected as part of this consultation to avoid bias or weighting towards any particular demographic group. However, the significant response from schools indicates that at least 49% of respondents were under 18 years of age. This is important as the decision to formalise a National Day will affect generations to come.

Public Response

Overall, the consultation received 2,466 responses as of 18 January 2025. Liberation Day  received  overwhelming  support  with  2,007  respondents  (82%)  in  favour  of designating this date as Jersey's official National Day.

A breakdown of the results, as well as sample comments and suggestions left by respondents, can be found in Appendix 2.

Jersey Anthem

The Island Identity Panel explored the need for Jersey to have its own official Island Anthem, distinct from the British National Anthem, "God Save the King" which obviously remains unchanged. However, there is a need for a Jersey Anthem to be used at sporting and cultural events where Jersey is represented independently. On occasion, embarrassment has been caused when our athletes win medals and stand proudly on the podium, with no one knowing what should be played to recognise their achievement on behalf of their Island. The Island Identity Report also highlighted that an Island Anthem could provide a unifying way for Islanders to connect with 'Jerseyness' in a manner that is welcoming, accessible and inclusive. In turn, this could foster longer term social benefits, such as a stronger sense of community and belonging.

The consultation asked the public for their views on whether "Beautiful Jersey" should be formally adopted as the Jersey Anthem. "Beautiful Jersey" was suggested due to its

3 Stakeholders included the Bailiff 's Office; Chamber of Commerce; Committee des Connétable s; School Councils Network; Youth Parliament; Jersey Sport; Jersey Connections; Jersey Heritage; Societe Jersiaise; Jersey Occupational Society; Institute of Directors

4 Schools include: JCG Prep, JCG, Victoria College, Plat Douet, St. Lawrence, Beaulieu Primary, D'Auvergne, Springfield, Hautlieu and La Passerelle

cultural prominence, as it is sometimes used at sporting events, sung during Liberation Day and taught in some schools. Other suggestions were encouraged and welcomed as part of the survey.

While 50% of respondents were in favour of "Beautiful Jersey" being formalised as the Jersey Anthem, this did not represent a convincing body of support. The Council of Ministers has instead decided to issue interim guidance to sports clubs and other relevant bodies as to what should be played during official events where Jersey represents itself in its own capacity, such as the Commonwealth Games and Island Games, where there is currently no conclusion on what should be played. This guidance will include recommending that the chorus of "Beautiful Jersey" (in either English or Jèrriais) is played at such events until a formal anthem is selected. This decision aims to address concerns raised by members of the public about the lack of a consistent piece of music to be used and confusion at official events.

Financial and staffing implications

Existing Island  Identity budget was  allocated to the  consultation, which included advertisements and the printing of paper surveys. If the States Assembly approve this proposition, government social media channels would be used to raise awareness of the decision ahead of the Liberation 80 celebrations for minimal cost.

Note that the adoption of Liberation Day as Jersey's national day would not change the way Liberation Day is celebrated. As Liberation Day is already a public holiday, there are minimal economic implications of designating this as a National Day.

Children's Rights Impact Assessment

A Children's Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) has been prepared in relation to this proposition and is available to read on the States Assembly website.

Appendix 1: List of National Days suggested in the Island Identity Report

6th January  Until probably WW1 the date of the Battle of Jersey was

considered in some quarters as Jersey's National Day, a day of celebration  especially  after  the  centenary  of  1881,  and reinforced by the fact it coincided with Lé Vièr Noué (Old Christmas Day) still marked especially in the countryside into C20th 55

17th February  Proclamation of Charles II in the Royal Square (1649) - ties in

with the gift of the Mace as a visible national symbol

7th April  Formal adoption of modern Jersey flag (1981)

9 th May  Liberation Day

24th May  La Grande R'veue (Queen Victoria's birthday was a day off for

militia during much of C19th for parading) - this is the origin of the Jèrriais expression: un jour pouor la Reine', to describe a bank holiday. (cf Bermuda Day)

21st June  Summer solstice. If "Sunny Jersey" is a culturally resonant

concept, then celebrating the sun and midsummer (as with origin of IoM Tynwald Day, and Greenland's National Day) could be popular.

28th September  Reform Day / The Corn Riots

29th September  Michaelmas - Feast of Saint Michael, patron of Normandy.

Norman cultural festival (it was also quarter day, which is why reform riots happened on the previous day as payments fell due)

14th October  Battle of Hastings. Significant politically as establishing link

with English crown, culturally through literary description by Wace  There  are  significant  historic  years,  but  without identifiable or convenient days: 911 foundation of the Duchy of Normandy 933 incorporation into the Duchy of Normandy 1204 division of Duchy of Normandy (we celebrated "800 years of independence" in 2004)

Appendix 2: Consultation Results  

Data from the Consultation  

Sample Comments and Suggestions from the Consultation

[1] Fisher, Max (26 February 2013). "A surprising map of the world's national holidays (only two countries have no national day)". The Washington Post.

Elgenius, Gabriella (2019). "National Days in Nation Building: Similarities and differences". Symbols of nations and nationalism : celebrating nationhood. Basingstoke, Hampshire. pp. 94–132.

[2] Jersey's Better Life Index