What kind of Liberation Day do you want?

In most of them anyway. St Sampson’s somewhat controversial decision to back out of staging a parish event almost as soon as the news of the parish-based day was announced, has now been joined by St Peter Port’s decision to hold its parish celebration the day before, on Sunday 8 May.

This newspaper has gone on record in offering support for the parish-based events and sees no reason to change that approach, though it appears that pressure is building to reverse that decision in future years – putting the 2022 celebrations under increased scrutiny.

St Peter Port’s rationale for its decision is interesting.

As the focus for the ceremonial parts of the day on the morning of 9 May, that is already a commitment for many of its parish officials. Constable Zoe Lihou maybe has a point when she says she simply doesn’t have the people to commit to staging another significant event on a public holiday.

The decision to organise an event at Footes Lane the previous day seems a reasonable compromise, but not one which will attract States funding, which is strictly limited to events taking place on 9 May. It is understandable to hear Mrs Lihou say: ‘We want to host what works.'

There now appear to be a few challenges facing Liberation Day this year. Will the parish-based celebrations stand up to what may well be enhanced scrutiny? Will they get by on volunteer time and will they consider that such a day is sustainable in the future?

What will our Royal visitors, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, be invited to do for the few hours they are in the island?

Will the Education, Sport & Culture Committee continue to be able to defend itself against allegations that it is abrogating its responsibilities in making a limited cash sum available to the parishes, in exchange for organising entertainment that many feel the States should put on?

An ultimately, what kind of celebration do we want Liberation Day to be in the future?