More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Morris dancers will descend on parliament today in protest of changes to early May bank holiday.
Hundreds from Medway, clad with bells and sticks, will join founder of Rochester Sweeps Festival, Gordon Newton in Westminster.
Traditionally, the town's Sweeps Festival is held over the first weekend in May, including the Monday.
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But last month, the government's business secretary Greg Clark announced he would be swapping the Monday for the following Friday, May 8 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day - when Germany surrendered in the Second World War.
Mr Newton thinks the change will have a "massive impact" on the Towns' economy.
He estimates a loss of about £60m per year if the Sweeps Festival stops.
He said: "I don't think Greg Clark, who is also the MP for Tunbridge Wells, has not understood the impact of his announcement.
"We are quite angry about it but will have a very peaceful and colourful demonstration of our solidarity.
"We do support the introduction of VE Day - that's not a problem.
"But we should have two bank holidays in that week to keep our traditions going too."
The festival will celebrate 40 years in 2020, and includes the Jack in the Green procession which has been going in Medway for more than 150 years.
The change will not only effect Medway, but communities all over the country including Whitstable and Hastings, who hold similar events.
Britain has less bank holidays than anywhere else in Europe so Mr Newton hopes the government will consider allowing both Monday, May 4 and Friday, May 8.
Mr Newton added: "We welcome people from all over the world - it's a big, big event and a lot of organisation goes into it.
"It shouldn't be a problem having both bank holidays and we are hoping we can make parliament realise that.
"A precedent was created for Kate and William's wedding when we have two bank holidays. Why can't we do the same?"
The Morris dancers will join hundreds of others from across the nation in London today, where they plan to speak with deputy leader of the Conservatives.
