Moving Bermuda Day is a “common sense” step which would benefit both locals and potential visitors alike, according to one Progressive Labour Party MP.

Michael Weeks, Shadow Minister of Community, Youth and Sports, will again this year present the Public Holidays Amendment Act in the House of Assembly.

The Act calls for Bermuda Day to fall on the Friday before the last Monday of May each year.

Mr Weeks said he canvassed the opposite side of the floor before he first brought it to the House in 2014.

“Most on the other side were for it,” he said of the One Bermuda Alliance.

“But when we got into the House, politics took over.”

Polls conducted a few years back showed an overwhelming public support for the change, he said.

“Other issues of the day took precedence, so it just went to the backburner.”

Mr Weeks said he will present the Bill again on May 12.

Moving the holiday, he said, makes sense for a number of reasons — including attracting tourists to the island.

Bookending the Memorial Day long weekend marked in the United States, the move could help encourage American visitors.

“We could promote sports tourism and a short getaway for the Americans,” he said.

The annual half-marathon, held on the holiday, could be more easily marketed as a destination event if the holiday were to coincide with a weekend, making it easier for race participants to recover, the MP said.

Sports aside, a long weekend would make is easier for others to visit as well.

“We have to compete as far as tourists are concerned,” Mr Weeks said.

“Our tourism product has suffered for the last 20 or 30 years. So we have to think outside the box if we are going to ever get back to those tourism numbers that we want to have.”

Residents would also benefit from the move for a variety of reasons.

“It increases the local participation in the event and the celebrations,” Mr Weeks said.

“If we expect the locals to put time and energy into the parade, why not make it such that it’s a win-win for all of us?”

Research conducted, Mr Weeks said, showed that when the holiday fell during the week, school attendance was down the next day.

“All this data came directly from the Ministry of Education.”

The holiday, which became Bermuda Day in 1979, was renamed to “help Bermudians grow in respect and appreciation for each other, and bring the community together” following a period of social unrest, Mr Weeks said.

“Traditionally the old Bermudian looks at it as the 24th of May, but really it’s not been the 24th of May since 1979,” Mr Weeks said.

He felt confident that the third time would be the charm for the Bill.

“It comes a time when we must truly make Bermuda Day our own, and what works best for all Bermudians,” he said.

“It’s time.”