An extra bank holiday in England to celebrate a potential World Cup victory is now in jeopardy as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting political pressure and a possible resignation. The Labour leader’s future is uncertain following Andy Burnham’s win in the Makerfield by-election, which has intensified calls for Starmer to step down and paved the way for a leadership challenge.
Peter Kyle, a close ally of Starmer, acknowledged that the prime minister is weighing up the “political realities” amid growing speculation about his timetable for resignation, which could be announced as soon as Monday, June 22. This uncertainty has put the highly anticipated bonus bank holiday, hinted at by Starmer in support of England’s football team, at risk.
Starmer has previously suggested that a bank holiday would be granted should England win the FIFA World Cup. At the G7 Summit in Evian, France, on June 17, he playfully linked England’s World Cup success to Labour governments, noting, “The last time we won the World Cup it was a Labour government.” He expressed optimism about the team’s chances and his backing for the squad managed by Thomas Tuchel.
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The prime minister declared: “Tonight, we can dare to dream again because we have a brilliant Three Lions squad, packed with all the talent and experience to get that second star on the shirt.” He also rallied fans to support England’s players, including Harry Kane, during their crucial group games.
Starmer’s support for sports-related celebrations is well known; when England’s women’s team reached the World Cup final in 2023, he publicly called for a celebratory bank holiday if they triumphed.
However, if Starmer resigns before England’s next major tournament, the plans for a bonus bank holiday could falter. So far, Andy Burnham, who may challenge for Labour leadership, has not commented on whether he would continue with the promise of an extra bank holiday to mark a World Cup win.
With political uncertainty clouding the prime minister’s position, England’s football fans now face doubt over whether the much-anticipated bonus day off will materialize, even if the Three Lions triumph on the world stage.