St Alban

EDM number 1176 in 2002-03, proposed by Kerry Pollard on 12/05/2003.

That this House notes the recent Radio 4 poll on who might best represent England as patron saint of the 21st century; welcomes the result which placed St Alban first, with St George in third place; further notes that St George may not have existed, certainly never fought a dragon, did not originate in England and presents a militaristic image inappropriate for our times; recognises that St Alban was the first English martyr, buried on English soil, with documented evidence that he did exist; notes that his action in sacrificing his own life to help another escape from persecution sets an example to us all; and calls on the Government to recognise St Albans Day, 22nd June, as a national public holiday, and to support the programme of events arranged in St Albans for the weekend of 22nd June to mark the date of Alban's martyrdom.

This motion has been signed by a total of 10 MPs.