Britain shutdown

Tomorrow is, in theory, the first normal day of 2003. In practice, for many of us who will not return to work until Monday, it is yet another day of holiday. Even for those who will return to work as normal tomorrow, there is surely something excessive in the way the entire country goes to sleep for the entire period between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

Tomorrow is, in theory, the first normal day of 2003. In practice, for many of us who will not return to work until Monday, it is yet another day of holiday. Even for those who will return to work as normal tomorrow, there is surely something excessive in the way the entire country goes to sleep for the entire period between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

For those who choose to take the time as holiday, fine. But not everyone does – some would far prefer to take their holiday at another time, but have little or no choice in the face of this mass closure. Others are simply taking advantage of the days allowed to build a bridge that spans a fortnight.

Something is richly ironic in this national close-down coming at a time when, thanks to new licensing laws, pubs will have been able to stay open for 36 hours on the trot. Get a grip, Britain, get a grip.