Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has publicly expressed his support for commemorating a historic moment in English football history. When asked about the possibility of England emerging victorious in the Euro 2024 tournament, he stated, “We should certainly mark the occasion,” hinting at a potential celebration to acknowledge the team’s achievement.
His words have sparked hope among fans and speculation about the nature of such a celebration should England clinch the championship title.
While expressing his support for celebrating England’s potential triumph, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer exercised restraint when asked about the possibility of declaring a bank holiday in the event of a victory. He chose not to commit to such a move, jokingly citing his superstition about jinxing the team’s chances.
By avoiding a definitive answer, he demonstrated a cautious approach, reflecting the fragile nature of sports competitions and the uncertainty of outcomes. His response hinted at a desire to avoid tempting fate, prioritizing the team’s success over premature celebrations.
The Liberal Democrats have proposed an additional bank holiday if England wins. Following their 2-1 victory against the Netherlands in the semi-finals on Wednesday, England will face Spain in the final in Berlin on Sunday.
PM Recalls Past Experience, Urges Caution
Speaking at the Nato summit in Washington, the Prime Minister expressed his support for commemorating England’s potential victory in the Euro 2024 tournament. He shared his personal experience of attending the last Euros finals, jokingly expressing his reluctance to repeat the disappointment. While acknowledging the importance of marking the occasion, he emphasized the need for caution to avoid jinxing the team’s chances.
Prior Support for Celebratory Bank Holiday
The Prime Minister had previously endorsed calls for an extra bank holiday if England emerged victorious in the Women’s Euro 2022, which they ultimately won. His past support for a celebratory bank holiday suggests a willingness to acknowledge significant national achievements. At the same time, his current cautious approach reflects the high stakes and uncertainty of the upcoming final.
Despite the Prime Minister’s support for marking England’s potential victory, the Conservative government ultimately rejected the idea of an additional bank holiday, citing the significant financial burden. According to a 2010 House of Commons Library briefing, the estimated cost of an extra bank holiday was a substantial £2.9 billion. This cost concern outweighed the enthusiasm for a national celebration.
Sir Keir Starmer had also previously backed calls for a bank holiday if England won the Women’s World Cup final, but the team’s loss rendered the issue moot. However, in a gesture of compromise, the government permitted pubs in England and Scotland to extend their operating hours by two extra hours until 1:00 BST for the final match.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, an avid Arsenal supporter and regular participant in five-a-side football, expressed his unwavering belief in England’s potential to succeed. Amidst the Nato gathering, he briefly stepped away from his duties to watch a portion of Wednesday’s match alongside his Dutch counterpart. He recounted, “It was fantastic! I managed to slip away from my session for just five minutes, which coincided with Harry Kane scoring the first goal.”
Although he missed the second goal, his enthusiasm remained unabated. “It’s brilliant! I’ve always maintained that this team would go all the way, so I’m absolutely thrilled. Good luck to them on Sunday!” His momentary break from diplomatic duties showcased his dedication to his country’s football team.
Downing Street has officially confirmed that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will attend the highly anticipated Euro 2024 final in Berlin. This is a show of support for the England national team as they vie for the championship title.
Celebration Awaits: England’s Chance to Bask in Glory
The Liberal Democrats have proposed an additional bank holiday if England wins the trophy on Sunday.
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, enthusiastically urged the government to declare a special bank holiday if England emerges victorious in the Euro 2024 final. “This historic moment marks the Three Lions’ inaugural appearance in a foreign final, and a win would be a phenomenal achievement worthy of a national celebration,” he exclaimed.
“England deserves the opportunity to come together and rejoice in this once-in-a-generation event, and perhaps we’ll even be blessed with a rare spell of good weather!” While the UK has previously observed additional bank holidays for significant royal events, such as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and funeral in 2022 and the King’s coronation in May 2023, notable football triumphs like the 1966 World Cup win and the Lionesses’ European Championship victory in 2022 did not receive the same recognition.
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