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Jersey will next year enjoy a ‘riotous’ extra bank holiday, marking 250 years since a series of reforms sparked by hundreds of islanders storming the Royal Court in a protest against power.
The bank holiday to commemorate the 1771 democratic reforms resulting from the Corn Riots will take place on 28 September 2021.
States Members agreed to the new addition to the calendar in a vote yesterday, following proposals brought by Assistant Minister for Culture Deputy Montfort Tadier.
25 were in favour, 17 against.
Pictured: States Members voted in favour of the bank holiday yesterday.
Frustrated with food shortages, rising prices and Jersey’s power structure, hundreds of islanders stormed the Royal Court with 13 demands to alleviate their struggles on 28 September 1769.
It wasn't a peaceful affair - many came armed with sticks and clubs, and an usher was even thrown over the court railing in the process.
As a result, a series of democratic changes were implemented in Jersey – the Code of 1771 – including the establishment of the States Assembly as the island’s sole law-making body.
The #StatesAssembly has voted to ADOPT @DeputyTadier’s proposal to mark the Corn Riots with an additional bank holiday in 2021 and other events. The events of will also be added to the school curriculum.
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) February 4, 2020
RESULT: 25 FOR vs. 17 AGAINST
Yesterday's vote finally brought to fruition plans agreed by the States Assembly back in 2012.
However, at the time, politicians couldn’t decide how to mark the Corn Riots so nothing happened.
Pictured top: Montfort Tadier, who put forward the proposals for a bank holiday next year.
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