Last night British Summer Time ended at 2am, but if a new Daylight Saving Bill goes ahead it could bring the UK into line with Central European Time (CET) for a trial period of up to three years. This would mean lighter winter evenings, which some claim would cut road deaths, boost tourism, reduce energy use, reduce our carbon footprint... you get the picture.
Opposition from devolved authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could see the plans dropped and any proposed changes are likely to face some opposition from Scots who fear the changes could have the opposite affect to those claimed as more of their their 'waking hours' become hours of darkness. Again the arguments are easy to understand.
This is not a clear cut issue and their is no east answer. How best to make use of changes in summer and winter daylight patterns has been debated by British Governments since the early 1900s.
During the Second World War the Government moved the clocks forward one hour to maximise productivity in English factories and allow people to get home safely before the wartime blackout necessary to stop the Germans destroying London and other major cities.
There were further attempts between 1968 and 1971 the Government carried out a similar experiment which ended after complaints about accidents in Scotland and northern England who found they were living in the dark much of the day.
So a case for the status quo, a North South divide or a clear case for change – you decide – enter our free poll (no data except your answers is collected or used by CM). CM
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