Prime Minister gives his biggest hint yet about national holiday if Three Lions bring it home
Sir Keir Starmer has suggested Britons could get a day off if England win (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer has signalled there will be a Bank Holiday if England win the World Cup. The Prime Minister said he did not want to “jinx” the Three Lions before adding “ask me again if we get to the final”.
England have not won the World Cup since 1966, but hopes are rising that they can finally end 60 years of hurt by winning this year’s tournament. Football fan Sir Keir suggested Britons could get a day off if Harry Kane’s team lift the trophy next Sunday.
Speaking to reporters at the NATO summit in Ankara, he said: “I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.”
If there is an extra Bank Holiday it’s expected to be on Friday 24th July.
The latest government estimate is that an additional bank holiday would cost the economy £2.4 billion.
England beat Mexico 3-2 on Sunday night to advance to the quarter-finals in three days’ time, when they will play Norway.
Either Argentina or Switzerland await them in a potential semi-final clash.
The World Cup final takes place on Sunday, July 19, but a Bank Holiday the following day could come too soon for logistical reasons.
It is also the day that Andy Burnham is most likely to take over as prime minister.
England reached the latter stages of the 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020, and the World Cup in 2022, as well as the final of Euro 2024, but on no occasion was a day off promised.
Earlier, Sir Keir exchanged banter with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store in the gardens of the British ambassador’s residence in the Turkish capital.
The two men, wearing the football shirts of their respective countries, shook hands before Mr Store reminded Sir Keir of Norway’s 1981 World Cup qualifying victory over England.
He said: “Forty-five years ago, Prime Minister, Norway played England in the qualification and we won.
“And the radio commentators said ‘Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? Your boys took one hell of a beating’.”
But Sir Keir replied: “What you’re leaving out is that England only win the World Cup under Labour governments – 1966 – so the time is ours.”