Keir Starmer backs calls for a Bank Holiday if the Lionesses win the World Cup despite Downing Street dismissing the idea
- England team celebrate with friends and family after stunning Australia victory
Keir Starmer has backed calls for a Bank Holiday if the Lionesses triumph in the World Cup.
The Labour leader threw his weight behind the idea despite Downing Street pouring cold water on it.
Rishi Sunak hailed the England team’s stunning semi-final victory on social media yesterday. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer will be in Australia for the crunch match against Spain, while the PM is expected to watch on TV.
But although Downing Street stressed the government would find the ‘right way’ to celebrate should the team emerge as champions, it is understood a Bank Holiday is not currently under consideration.
Sir Keir waded into the row, highlighting how historic a victory would be.
‘It’s almost 60 years since England won the World Cup,’ he posted on the X website.
‘I’m never complacent about anything… but there should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home.’
Keir Starmer has backed calls for a Bank Holiday if the Lionesses triumph in the World Cup
The PM celebrated the England team’s stunning victory on social media yesterday, saying ‘bring on Sunday’ for the final
Georgia Stanway and Rachel Daly of England celebrate after the team’s 3-1 victory against Australia yesterday
Asked at a press conference earlier this week whether there should be a Bank Holiday to mark victory in the final, England coach Sarina Wiegman said: ‘I would say yes, I can see all the English people here want it! But let’s do everything to win the game tomorrow.’
An extra Bank Holiday would be expected to have a cost to economic activity – although that could be offset by additional spending by people celebrating.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan desperately dodged when she was grilled on the possibility during a round of interviews this morning.
She told Sky News: ‘That is not my decision, obviously.
‘But it is something that I think… the more important thing would be to get lots of girls playing football as a result of this so that we have future Lionesses always on tap.’
Ms Keegan was also asked the question on LBC but spoke only about the England women’s team having previously lobbied for more equal access to sport for girls of school age.
Asked whether it was ‘a bit of a disappointment’ that Mr Sunak was not personally going to Australia to watch the final, the Cabinet minister replied: ‘Actually, I think the Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport (Lucy Frazer), I think she is on her way there now.’
The King, the Prince of Wales and men’s team captain Harry Kane led the congratulations yesterday after England swept aside co-hosts Australia 3-1 to reach their first World Cup final.
The Lionesses roared past the Matildas in front of a 75,784-strong crowd thanks to second-half strikes from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.
Ella Toone had fired England into the lead in the first half, but Sam Kerr produced a thunderous equaliser before Hemp and Russo helped Wiegman’s side end their run of World Cup last-four exits.
MPs from across parties have heaped praise on the team for their resilient showing.
A Government spokesman said yesterday: ‘Winning the World Cup would be a massive moment for the country and make no mistake we’ll find the right way to celebrate.
‘As Sarina Wiegman herself has said, the first thing to do is focus on the final and the whole country will be rooting for the Lionesses this weekend.’
England striker Alessia Russo fires past the Australian keeper to confirm the victory yesterday
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