Chances of England getting bank holiday for winning Euros after reaching final on Sunday
Brits are having quite the busy couple of weeks, as it goes.
After fulfilling our democratic duty and casting our ballots in the UK general election last Thursday (4 July), focus quickly fell back on our fate in the Euros - as only Switzerland and the Netherlands stood in our way of reaching the finals.
Forget Labour's landslide win and Sir Keir Starmer moving into Downing Street, as Brits were much more bothered about our perfect penalty shootout in the quarter finals (6 July) by the time the weekend came around.
And following our triumph against the Netherlands tonight (10 July), it seems there is no stopping the Three Lions now - so long as they batter Spain on Sunday (14 July) in the finals.
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England managed to batter the Netherlands and have made it to the Euro 2024 finals after beating them 2-1.
Captain Harry Kane managed to get a penalty right past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, allowing England to equal the score, before Ollie Watkins fired us into the final with a last minute goal just ten minutes after he was subbed on.
And seen as though we've now got a footie-mad leader in office - who didn't let a Nato summit in Washington DC keep him from staying up to date with the score in the semis - a lot of us have been left wondering how he might mark the occasion if the boys really do bring it home.
Forget a party, a parade or simply popping the champers, though - as there is talk of Brits getting bunged an extra Bank Holiday if the Three Lions triumph on Sunday.
It's only logical that we all get a day off to toast to England's achievements after all these years of hurt that have never stopped us dreaming - especially as it would be coming off the back of the end of a 14-year Conservative government.
Honestly, we wouldn't need any more reasons to celebrate - and a Bank Holiday is surely the least that Sir Keir can do now the nation's given him a cushy promotion to head honcho on Downing Street.
By the way, this idea hasn't just been plucked out of thin air by Brits who fancy bunking off for a day.
The Labour leader has hinted at the prospect of adding another Bank Holiday to our calendars a handful of times already.
But now he has actually got his feet under the table in Number 10, what is the likelihood of Sir Keir actually giving us a day off if England do win the Euros?
Well, it's touch-and-go, to put it bluntly - but don't go making plans for the day after the final Euros game just yet under the assumption that you will be off work.
You see, Sir Keir had formerly been in favour of giving us more Bank Holidays to enjoy throughout the year in the past, however, it seems he has since backtracked a bit.
While England were battling it out in the Euros in 2020 and the Lionesses did us proud in the 2023 World Cup, the 61-year-old was keen for the country to enjoy a 'proper day of celebration' and called for us to get a Bank Hol if either won.
His predecessor Jeremy Corbyn had also previously got people excited by discussing how he'd give each of the UK's four nations a Bank Holiday each for their patron saint - but Sir Keir seems to have since had second thoughts.
Basically, he hasn't mentioned the topic as of late, even though it's all the rest of us can think about.
In fact, in April, he explained that although Bank Holidays seem like all fun and games, it isn't for the UK's economy.
Sir Keir said although he'd love to dish more of them out, it's not a very sensible move.
Speaking a few days after St George's Day, the PM said: "I think that [a Bank Holiday] is both sentimental - in the sense of our history, our values our traditions - but, for me, bound up with that sense of service to our country.
"A bank holiday would be very nice but I think that, with the economy where it is at the moment, we have to celebrate in-and-around the work that we're doing, because we need to absolutely take our country forward.
"What I want to do, if we're privileged enough to come into government, is to have a government of service to the country and have a decade of national renewal - and that would fulfil St George's Day's promise," he added.
According to the government, the economy can take a more than billion pound hit when workers get an extra day off.
But hey, you never know - an incredible run by England and a quick word from Gareth Southgate could be enough to swing Sir Keir into giving us all a well-deserved break for 24 hours.
Speaking ahead of the semi-finals against the Dutch, the PM made a tongue-in-cheek remark about the Three Lions success rate since he won the election.
He said: "I’ve sent a message to the team, obviously I wish them well, I want them to win, and let’s hope they can do it.
"I’d remind you, England have not missed a penalty under a Labour government in 2024."
Well, he ain't wrong.
Sir Keir is expected to attend the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday to watch the action in person - while the squad will be rewarded with quite the pay packet if they manage to roar to victory.
So please, Mr Prime Minister, give us a Bank Holiday won't you?
Downing Street did not wish to comment on the likelihood of us getting one.
Topics: Football, Sport, Euro 2024, Politics, Keir Starmer
Olivia Burke