Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Is tomorrow a UK bank holiday if England win? Keir Starmer’s verdict

Must read

Sir Keir Starmer is really being pushed to give a bank holiday the go-ahead if England beat Spain and win the Euros (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Sir Keir Starmer has been quizzed in front of the entire nation over whether we can expect a bank holiday if England win Euro 2024.

The recently elected prime minister has faced calls to authorise a national day off should the Three Lions beat Spain and bring it home for the first time in 58 years tonight.

Ed Davey and the Liberal Democrats have led the plea ever since Gareth Southgate’s side came out as 2-1 winners over the Netherlands in the semi-final on Wednesday.

Follow Metro.co.uk’s live blog for coverage of England vs Spain in the Euro 2024 final

Mr Starmer previously admitted ‘we should certainly mark the occasion’ in some way but didn’t want to ‘jinx anything’.

And during ITV’s live coverage of the final in Berlin this evening, he was questioned about it again by Manchester United legend and pundit Gary Neville.

‘There are 60 million people that are all asking the same question,’ Neville said to Starmer.

‘Are they getting a day off? Are they getting a bank holiday? It’s on you.’

Sir Keir Starmer speaking to Gary Neville while standing on a football pitch
Sir Keir Starmer was quizzed by Gary Neville on whether we can expect a bank holiday should England bring it home (Picture: Dave Shopland/Shutterstock)

But still remaining relatively coy, Mr Starmer couldn’t be pushed to confirm for sure either way.

‘Well, I don’t know about that,’ he replied.

‘Let’s get through the next few hours. Let’s get their hands on that trophy.

‘But, we need to mark it in some way, but we’ll have to see what that is. An appropriate way.’

Sir Keir previously supported calls for a bank holiday when England’s women’s football team made it to the World Cup final last year.

In terms of the game itself, he said: ‘I think there’s such optimism. I’ve just come from London.

‘It’s sort of breathing optimism, and it’ll be I think in the summer for us to be here and to win this, would just be really fantastic.’

Sir Keir pictured with Karen Carney, Laura Woods and Gary Neville standing on a football pitch
Sir Keir pictured with Karen Carney, Laura Woods and Gary Neville before kick off (Picture: Dave Shopland/Shutterstock)
Sit Keir Starmer wearing a navy suit with a red tie and sunglasses
Britain’s PM is at the game in Berlin tonight (Picture: Getty Images)

He was also full of praise for both the England manager and squad, adding: ‘You don’t get to the final just by luck. This is hard work. This is talent. This is skill, strategy.

‘And I just desperately hope now that we get that win this evening.’

Expand

Lib Dem leader Mr Davey said earlier this week: ‘The Three Lions are playing their first ever final on foreign soil, and if they bring it home, the government should bring home a bank holiday to celebrate.

‘England deserves the chance to celebrate a once-in-a-generation event. Who knows, we might even get decent weather.’

So, let’s get Keir on speed dial if England lift the trophy later on and find out whether we’re all getting a lie in.

There is still hope.


MORE : Why isn’t Jack Grealish playing for England at Euro 2024?


MORE : Why isn’t Marcus Rashford playing for England at Euro 2024?


MORE : Why does Phil Foden have 47 tattooed on his neck? England star’s heartwarming tribute

Latest article