Keir Starmer says he would like ‘mark the occasion’ if England win Euro 2024- but has refused to reveal if he would declare a Bank Holiday.
Sir Keir has faced calls to give the nation a day off if Gareth Southgate’s side lift the trophy on Sunday, but said he did not want to ‘jinx anything’ by pre-empting the result
The Liberal Democrats have led calls for an extra bank holiday after England claimed a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Starmer also supported calls for a bank holiday when England’s women’s football team made it to the World Cup final last year.
Asked whether he would back a bank holiday if Southgate’s team is victorious, the Prime Minister told broadcasters in Washington DC: ‘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.’
The news comes as it is revealed England will head embark on a victory parade if they emerge victorious against Spain on Sunday.
Advanced preparations are apparently underway for an open-top parade on Tuesday, which would see the Lions travel from Guildhall in the City to Buckingham Palace before attending a reception.
The squad would meet with Starmer the day before, who is also planning to attend the final in Berlin. Prince William is also expected to attend the game, as is culture secretary Lisa Nandy.
An avid Arsenal fan who regularly plays five-a-side football, Starmer said he always knew the team were going to go ‘all the way,’ and was seen watching Harry Kane score England’s equaliser alongside his Dutch counterpart, Dick Schoof.
The Prime Minister got out of his seat as the spot-kick was drilled home, then shook hands with Mr Schoof.
‘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,’ he told broadcasters.
‘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.’
Sir Keir said it looked like football was coming home when asked about the result during an Oval Office meeting with President Joe Biden.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey had earlier led calls for a one-off bank holiday.
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.’
It is not the first time the Lib Dems have called for a temporary bank holiday in the event of a sporting win, having made similar calls last year when England Women reached the World Cup final.
Two extra one-off bank holidays were held across the UK in 2022, one for the Queen’s platinum jubilee and another for her funeral.
The King’s coronation in May 2023 was also a bank holiday.
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