POLL OF THE DAY: Should there be a bank holiday if England wins the Euros? YOUR VERDICT
PA
GB News members have rejected the suggestion that England winning the Euros should result in a bank holiday.
A staggering 83 per cent opposed a bank holiday, with just 16 per cent supporting an extra day off.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure to give the UK an extra bank holiday if the Three Lions team wins the Euro 2024 football final.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey had earlier led calls for a one-off bank holiday, saying the “Government should bring home a bank holiday to celebrate”.
The Lib Dems made similar calls last year when England Women reached the World Cup final.
Speaking to GB News, one Brit said: “Hundred per cent. We need a bank holiday, the first time since 1966 that we could be bringing it home.
“What is a better reason to get a bank holiday than that?”
Another said: “We haven't had much to celebrate recently as a country. So yeah, I think it's a great excuse for a celebration.
“Hopefully it all comes together and celebrate our football team.”
A third said: “I think it's absolutely necessary. I mean, why shouldn't we? Winning a tournament like the Euros comes once every blue moon?
“Well, never in my lifetime. Never in anyone's lifetime. So why not give the public a day off? You know we deserve it.”
When asked if he would grant the bank holiday Starmer said he “doesn’t want to jinx” Southgate’s team.
“We should certainly mark the occasion”, he said.
“I don’t want to jinx anything. I went to the last Euros final (where England lost on penalties to Italy) and I don’t want to go through that again.
“We must mark it in some way. The most important thing is getting it over the line on Sunday.”
When jokingly asked by GB News’ Christopher Hope if he’ll resign as Prime Minister if England loses the final on Sunday, Starmer said: “No”.