A PATRIOTIC election candidate is calling for St George’s Day to be made a national holiday.

Bradshaw Councillor Mudasir Dean made headlines last year when he campaigned for the union flag to be permanently flown in Bolton schools and for children to sing the national anthem during assemblies.

Cllr Dean, who is the Conservative candidate for the Bolton South East constituency seat, is following that act of patriotism with another — asking for England to follow Ireland and Scotland by having a national holiday in honour of its patron saint.

Cllr Dean said that St George’s Day, on April 23, is something that the whole country should be proud of.

He said: “St George's Day was a public holiday in England from the 15th to 18th centuries, but we dropped our national break when we joined the union with Scotland.

“We all have our own reason to celebrate England, our history, our countryside, our institutions or our local community spirit are just a few – it is right to focus on this though a dedicated day.

Cllr Dean is the grandchild of an Indian immigrant who he said was the first Asian person to settle in Bolton and has always instilled a sense of national pride in him.

He added: “I think people of all different communities should feel that pride, including immigrant communities, it can help to promote integration.”

The campaign has gained a mixed response from Cllr Dean’s election rivals, with some agreeing with the idea and others claiming he is simply “electioneering.”

UKIP candidate Jeff Armstrong said: “This idea actually forms part of our party’s manifesto — it would bring us into line with the other nations around us.

“It is something we will be pointing out and I don’t blame Cllr Dean for stating this ahead of the election.”

This was not a view shared by Green party candidate Alan Johnson. He said: “This is very obviously electioneering, there is no doubt about it.

“I am not against it because I would always back more holidays for workers, but I think it is convenient timing.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Darren Reynolds said: “I don't blame Mr Dean for announcing his plans today — he can hardly be expected to keep his ideas to himself when he is trying to get elected.”

Labour’s candidate Yasmin Qureshi added: “It is blatant electioneering when you consider the timing — but I am all in favour of an extra holiday for working people.”