Sir Keir Starmer drops clearest hint yet about Bank Holiday if England win Euro 2024
England take on Spain in the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has made the clearest indication yet that there will be an additional Bank Holiday if England are crowned European champions this weekend.
England will take on Spain in the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday after seeing off the Netherlands in their semi-final on Wednesday night.
Ollie Watkins scored a dramatic winner as England won 2-1 in Dortmund.
They will now face the in-form team in the tournament, Spain, who beat France 2-1 in their semi-final on Tuesday.
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There are calls for newly elected PM Starmer to agree to a celebratory Bank Holiday if England win the final this weekend.
A petition for an additional holiday is gathering pace ahead of the final, while comments made by Starmer previously have increased the pressure on him to do so.
Speaking ahead of the Lionesses' World Cup final against Spain last year, he called on then PM Rishi Sunak to call a Bank Holiday if they won.
"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," tweeted Starmer.
The Labour leader has now dropped a major hint that an additional Bank Holiday could be called for Monday, the day after the final.
The PM, who is currently meeting world leaders at the 75th NATO summit in the United States, said: "We must mark it in some way, but the most important thing is getting it over the line on Sunday."
Starmer met with US president Joe Biden on Wednesday but said he managed to catch some of England's win over the Netherlands.
"I managed to pop out from one of my sessions for just 5 minutes, which is when I saw Kane get the first goal," he said.
"I missed the second one, but it's brilliant.
"I always said this team were going to go all the way, so I'm really, really pleased and just good luck for Sunday."
Rory O'Callaghan