Boost for bank holiday hopes if England win Euro 2024 as Starmer vows to mark a victory
HOPES of an extra Bank Holiday to celebrate an England Euros win rose today as Sir Keir Starmer vowed to mark any victory.
Fans dared to dream of a day off as calls for a national celebration grew should the Three Lions romp home on Sunday.
The new PM said he did not want to “jinx” the historic clash but would not rule out let giving millions have time off work to revel in a glory.
He was speaking after the “fantastic” win last night while he was in America for a NATO summit.
And the football-mad premier was asked about comments he made about granting a Bank Holiday if the Lionesses won the World Cup last year.
He said: “We should certainly mark the occasion, 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.”
He spoke about how he watched some of the game despite being at the defence and security summit in Washington DC.
He added: “It was fantastic. 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.”
The prospect of Sir Keir granting a Bank Holiday are quite slim as they come at great cost to the economy.
The campaign for a Bank Holiday roared into life following last night’s nerve-shredding 2-1 win over the Netherlands.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey was first out of the blocks today to throw his weight behind the Bank Holiday bonanza.
He 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.”
Sir Keir previously called for a Bank Holiday should the Lionesses have won the last women’s World Cup.He said: “It’s almost 60 years since England won the World Cup.
“I’m never complacent about anything… but there should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home.”