Keir Starmer’s forgotten extra Bank Holiday promise – back out and he won’t be forgiven
Sir Keir Starmer made a promise to England.
Keir Starmer had called for an extra Bank Holiday for an England World Cup win (Image: Getty)
It’s not even clear whether Sir Keir Starmer will still be Prime Minister come July 19.
Indeed, the tenant in Number 10 on that date is as up in the air as the participants of the World Cup final.
But everyone in England is hoping to see Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions roar into yet another major tournament final and this time, maybe, possibly, hopefully, we can dare to dream that it really is Coming Home.
However, if Keir Starmer is still the one coming home to No 10 Downing Street by then – and not a certain Andy Burnham, who is poised to deliver a leadership challenge following his by-election win – then he must remember a previous request he made on behalf of England fans.
Way back in 2023, Sir Keir was the leader of the opposition in Parliament when he called on the then-Conservative government to put in place an extra Bank Holiday if the Lionesses won the World Cup.
When England’s women reached the World Cup final in 2023, he posted on Twitter: “There should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home.”
Three years later, a convincing 4-2 victory over a good Croatia side for England’s curtain-raiser has propelled the boys once again to the forefront of the bookies’ favourites.
Asked about his views on a Bank Holiday just the other day at the G7 conference, Starmer stopped short of making a promise, simply saying that he doesn’t want to ‘jinx it’.
Presumably, this was referring to England’s chances of lifting the World Cup, and not his own of being Prime Minister by then.
While not in the party manifesto, Sir Keir clearly called for a Bank Holiday for a World Cup win when he was leader of the opposition, so it stands to reason that he should honour that promise now he’s in charge (if he’s still in charge).
After all, Scotland added an extra Bank Holiday in Scotland just for qualifying for the tournament. If they can do it, why can’t we?
Back out now and England fans will not forgive Mr Starmer if they have to drag themselves into work on July 20 nursing a hangover worthy of 60 years of hurt.
