Keir Starmer has dropped a 'huge hint' about a Bank Holiday being introduced if England win Euro 2024.
The men's team secured their place in the final after beating the Netherlands 2-1 in a tense semi-final match and are now set to face Spain tonight (14 July).
With England fans hoping it might finally be time for football to come home, there's been plenty of speculation about a Bank Holiday happening if the Three Lions claim victory in Berlin.
Advert
Earlier this week, Keir Starmer told broadcasters in Washington DC: “I don’t want to jinx it. I went to the last Euros final, I don’t want to go through that again.
“I don’t want to jinx anything but we must mark it in some way. But the most important thing is getting it over the line on Sunday.”
Starmer added: “I managed to pop out from one of my sessions for just five minutes which is when I saw Harry Kane get the first goal.
“I missed the second one but it was brilliant.
“So on we go now, great chance. I’ve always said this team were going to go all the way so I’m really, really pleased and just good luck for Sunday.”
Ahead of tonight's kick-off, the Prime Minister was interviewed match side by Gary Neville and addressed the mounting speculation about a Bank Holiday.
Starmer refused to commit to allowing an additional Bank Holiday but did insist that the country will need to mark the historic occasion if it happens.
"Well, I don't know about that. Let's get through the next few hours, let's get their hands on that trophy," he said. "We need to mark it in some way, but we'll have to see what that is. An appropriate way."
Starmer was also asked about whether he can relate to the pressure Gareth Southgate is under after becoming Prime Minister.
He told Neville: "I can totally relate to [Southgate]. When I started as Labour leader, people said: 'You're not going to get it over the line, you're not going quick enough', 'You won't turn it around in five years to get a Labour government'.
"Gareth obviously starts this, people saying it's not good enough, I always said from the get-go that this is a fantastic squad and he's a great manager, who'll get the best out of them.
"I'm really pleased they've got this far. They should be really pleased. They should be so proud, we're all really proud, the whole country is behind them."
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has joined in with football fans' calls for the government to allow for a Bank Holiday if England are crowned the champions of Euro 2024.
The politician said: “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.”
Topics: Euro 2024, Football, Gareth Southgate, Keir Starmer, Sport, UK News
Danni King