England fans are dreaming of a national bank holiday if the Three Lions win Euro 2024.
And previous comments from new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer suggest it is a genuine possibility.
Gareth Southgate’s men face Spain in Berlin on Sunday night following their stunning last-gasp victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Substitute Ollie Watkins scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner to put England in their second-consecutive European Championship final.
The nation have not tasted major tournament success for 58 years, since their sole triumph at the 1966 World Cup, and victory would spark wild scenes across the country.
Many are already calling for a bank holiday to mark the possible occasion – and prime minister Starmer was among those calls back in 2021.
When England were preparing to take on Italy in the Euro 2020 final, a match they would go on to lose, Starmer was leader of the opposition and urged the Conservative government to call a bank holiday in the event of a Three Lions victory.
Speaking to the Mirror, he said: “The whole country is incredibly proud of what Gareth Southgate and our England heroes have achieved already. History has been made.
“If we win on Sunday, the country should get the chance to celebrate it properly with an extra bank holiday, granted in the name of the England team.
“I’ve got a strong feeling, it’s coming home.”
Meanwhile, former Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances O’Grady backed those calls.
Speaking in 2021, she said: “If England bring it home on Sunday, government should allow the country to celebrate by announcing a special bank holiday.
“But it can’t just be a one off. UK workers get fewer bank holidays than most of our European counterparts. The TUC has long called for more public holidays. So come on England!”
As of now, there are no official plans for a bank holiday if England win on Sunday and the current Labour government, which was elected on July 4th, has not addressed the topic.
Starmer is a lifelong Arsenal fan and still plays the game regularly.
On Wednesday, he was filmed taking a break from his first NATO summit to watch Harry Kane equalise from the penalty spot against the Netherlands.
The 61-year-old wrote on social media: “What a game @England and what a winner. Berlin here we come!”
It is understood Starmer will be in attendance when the Three Lions face the Spanish at the Olympiastadion in Germany’s capital city.
talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday as England bid to make history against Spain. Tune in via the website or the app, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the build-up.
News Summary:
- Will there be a bank holiday if England win Euro 2024? Historic Sir Keir Starmer comments give hope
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