Keir Starmer is considering granting a bank holiday to England fans in case the Three Lions achieve World Cup victory. The Prime Minister hinted at the possibility of rewarding the nation with a day off if Thomas Tuchel’s team ends the 60-year drought of success.
During the Nato summit, Starmer, when asked about the potential bank holiday, cautiously responded that he would address the matter if England reaches the final match. Downing Street is reportedly in the early stages of preparation for this idea, with specific arrangements still under discussion. If implemented, the bank holiday would likely not coincide with the Monday after the final, which is also Starmer’s last day in office, but could be scheduled for the Friday following the World Cup final.
There is a chance that the bank holiday could align with a celebratory parade for the England team, considering that they might not return from New Jersey until the following Monday if they advance to the final match. Previously, the Scottish Government sanctioned a bank holiday following Scotland’s first World Cup fixture in nearly three decades, held at an unconventional 2 a.m. time. Starmer, while in the opposition, had urged Boris Johnson’s administration to consider an additional bank holiday if the Lionesses triumphed in the 2022 Euros.
England is gearing up for a quarter-final showdown against Norway this Saturday after a thrilling victory over Mexico in the round of 16. At the Nato summit in Turkey, Starmer shared light-hearted banter with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere while donning their respective national team jerseys.
In a humorous exchange, Starmer mentioned the influx of requests he received to advocate for overturning Jarrell Quansah’s red card, following pressure from Donald Trump to lift a ban on US player Folarin Balogun. While Starmer acknowledged the support, he affirmed that he had not pursued reversing the decision.
Expressing admiration for England’s recent performance against Mexico, Starmer highlighted the team’s exceptional strength and resilience, considering it as one of the finest displays he has witnessed. Additionally, Starmer joked with Prime Minister Stoere about their strategic alignment, noting that they would temporarily part ways during the anticipated match on Saturday evening.
Over the weekend, the Prime Minister intervened to prevent changes to the kick-off time for England’s match against Mexico, ensuring fair play. He also authorized extended pub hours until 5 a.m. to accommodate fans watching the game.