Keir Starmer is considering granting a bank holiday to England fans if the national team achieves success in the World Cup tournament. The Prime Minister hinted at the possibility of rewarding the country with a day off should Thomas Tuchel’s squad end a 60-year trophy drought.
During the Nato summit, Starmer, an avid football enthusiast, indicated that he would entertain the idea of a bank holiday if England were to win the competition, stating, “On the question of a bank holiday, I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.”
While Downing Street is reportedly exploring the concept, specific arrangements are still being finalized. The potential bank holiday would likely not align with the Monday following the final, which coincides with Starmer’s last day in office. Instead, it is anticipated to be scheduled for the Friday after the World Cup final. This timing could also coincide with a victory parade for the England team, considering their expected late return from New Jersey if they reach the final.
In a recent move, the Scottish Government authorized a Bank Holiday after Scotland’s first World Cup match in nearly three decades, held at an unusual 2 am time. Starmer had previously urged the government to consider an additional bank holiday if the Lionesses emerged victorious in the 2022 Euros.
England is gearing up for a quarter-final showdown against Norway following a thrilling victory over Mexico in the round of 16. At the Nato summit in Turkey, Starmer engaged in banter with Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Stoere, donning their respective national team jerseys for a light-hearted moment.
Amidst the football discussions, Starmer humorously mentioned the influx of messages he received urging him to intervene in lifting Jarrell Quansah’s red card suspension, prompted by Donald Trump’s involvement in advocating for Folarin Balogun’s ban reversal by FIFA.
Reflecting on England’s recent performance, Starmer praised the team’s strength and resilience, highlighting their remarkable display against Mexico as one of the best he has witnessed. Despite strategic alignments with Norway, he acknowledged the forthcoming competitive clash between the two nations on the pitch.
Over the weekend, the PM took action to maintain the original kick-off time for England’s World Cup match against Mexico, preventing any potential advantage to the hosts. Additionally, he facilitated extended pub hours until 5 am to accommodate fans watching the game.
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