GREAT BREXHIBITION!
PM’s £120m bash to celebrate our proud history and bright future
THERESA May yesterday announced plans for a £120million festival to celebrate the UK post-Brexit.
The event, which is scheduled to take place in 2022, is inspired by the 1951 Festival of Britain and would be used to project the image of a proud independent country around the world.
Speaking on the first day of Tory conference, the Prime Minister said the festival
‘Showcase what makes our country great’
would showcase the best the country has to offer in business, technology, arts and sport. Events would take place in every region and nation of the UK with the hope of generating billions of pounds of investment.
Mrs May said: ‘Almost 70 years ago, the Festival of Britain stood as a symbol of change. Britain once again stands on the cusp of a new future as an outward facing, global trading nation.
‘And, just as millions of Britons celebrated their nation’s great achievements in 1951, we want to showcase what makes our country great today.’ The event would take place in the same year as the next General Election is scheduled.
Mrs May hailed the festival as a chance ‘to mark this moment of national renewal with a once-in a-generation celebration’.
She said it would strengthen the ‘precious union’ and ‘promote the UK as the most creative and innovative nation in the world’.
Dubbed simply ‘The Festival’, it will take place alongside the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh International Festival and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Mrs May said that more than £120million would be set aside in advance to plan the event, which it is hoped will attract significant investment to the UK.
Downing Street officials pointed to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which secured £28billion of investment. Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said: ‘The UK will host a nationwide Festival of Britain and Northern Ireland in 2022 which will celebrate our unique strengths in creativity and innovation across business, tech, culture, heritage and sport.
‘I am looking forward to working closely with all of our sectors to make this a success.’