Keir Starmer is considering granting a bank holiday to England fans if the national football team achieves success in the upcoming World Cup tournament. The Prime Minister hinted at the possibility of rewarding the country with a day off if Thomas Tuchel’s squad breaks a 60-year drought.
During the Nato summit, Starmer, a football enthusiast, responded to queries about a potential bank holiday for an England victory by stating, “I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we reach the final.” Downing Street is reportedly exploring the concept, with plans still in development. The holiday is likely to occur on the Friday following the World Cup final, not necessarily on the Monday afterward.
If England reaches the final, the bank holiday might coincide with a celebratory parade for the team, as they are expected to return from New Jersey on Monday post-final. Starmer had previously urged the government to consider an extra bank holiday if the Lionesses triumphed in the 2022 Euros, echoing the Scottish Government’s decision to declare a holiday after Scotland’s recent World Cup match.
England is gearing up for a quarter-final showdown with Norway following a thrilling victory over Mexico in the round of 16 match. Starmer engaged in banter with Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Stoere at the Nato summit, where they sported their respective team jerseys. The Prime Minister also joked about requests to lift a red card for Jarrell Quansah, prompted by Donald Trump’s intervention in FIFA matters.
Expressing admiration for England’s performance against Mexico, Starmer praised the team’s strength and resilience, emphasizing their outstanding display. He highlighted the strategic alignment between himself and the Norwegian Prime Minister but acknowledged the temporary rivalry in the forthcoming match.
Over the weekend, Starmer intervened to maintain the original kick-off time for England’s match against Mexico, rejecting proposals for a schedule change that could have favored the hosts. Additionally, he permitted extended pub hours until 5 am to accommodate fans watching the game.
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