The petition calling on the reinstating of the Senior Race Day bank holiday has now been signed by 5,000 people.

It was only announced on Thursday that the bank holiday had been axed following the cancellation of the 2020 TT.

Created by Max Byrne, the petition has been gathering support on the website Change.org and has won the backing of tax payers and politicians.

The decision to drop the bank holiday, following the cancellation of the TT, was listed on a Tynwald order paper for the May 19 sitting. Chief Minister Howard Quayle then later confirmed the decision to scrap it had been made during Thursday’s press briefing.

In his petition, Mr Byrne said: ’I believe this amendment should be revoked. Just because we have cancelled the Tourist Trophy due to very real health concerns raised by Covid-19 doesn’t mean that the national holiday also associated with event should also be cancelled.’

’When the Tourist Trophy was similarly cancelled in 2001 due to concerns over Foot and Mouth disease, the national holiday was still honoured.’

Since the decision was made, Speaker Juan Watterson said people, from those self-isolating to key workers, are ’right to be angry’.

Mr Watterson added: ’As will a lot of people in finance jobs, who have knuckled down and gone to work, or changed to working from home, sometimes whilst looking after children at the same time.

’To remove the senior race day bank holiday with no consultation seems mean spirited at a time when we should be looking forward to as many uplifting experience as we can.

’Just to be clear - Tynwald does not get to vote on this cancellation, it is a decision made by Alf Cannan in Treasury.’

Chairman of the Liberal Vannin Party Michael Josem described the axing by the Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan as a ’mean and sneaky move’.

Mr Josem added: ’The 2020 Senior Race Day Bank Holiday should be immediately reinstated, and further, dedicated this year in recognition of the exceptional efforts of key workers in the Isle of Man.

’This public holiday does not belong to Mr Cannan, it belongs to the people of the Isle of Man.’

’People all over the Island are struggling through this coronavirus crisis and are sacrificing so much for the good of our community. The absolute least that Government can do is let them try to enjoy a public holiday as much as they can during these difficult times.

’This decision to strip people of a public holiday is unneeded and completely unwarranted.’

The government have been contacted for a comment.

The petition can be found at: www.change.org/p/isle-of-man-government-reinstatement-of-senior-race-day-2020-as-a-public-bank-holiday?