With Sir Keir Starmer hinting at a day off for the country if the Three Lions go all the way, we’re asking readers whether a bank holiday would be the right way to mark England’s first World Cup win in 60 years
Sir Keir Starmer is said to be lining up a bank holiday if England emerge victorious in the World Cup, with Friday 24 July reportedly the date under consideration.
Speaking to reporters at the Nato summit, the prime minister refused to confirm anything outright.
“I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final,” he said, after praising Monday’s win over Mexico as one of the best England performances he’s ever seen.
The idea has already proved divisive. Scotland was granted a bank holiday in June to mark their return to the men’s finals for the first time in decades, a move approved by King Charles after a request from First Minister John Swinney.
But Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said she would “probably not” support the same for England, warning that “the private sector would still be working and the public sector would take the day off, and you’d all have to pay for it.”
England face Norway in the quarter-final in Miami on Saturday, with a place in the last four – and, perhaps, a step closer to that extra day off – on the line.
Now we want to know what you think. Should a bank holiday be declared if England win the World Cup?
Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comments below.