Extra Bank Holiday on Monday plans in full as government gives update ahead

England might be in for an unplanned bank holiday on Monday (July 15), judging by previous comments made by Sir Keir Starmer. The newly appointed prime minister, who has only been in power for a week, already has much to celebrate.

Despite being unable to witness Gareth Southgate guide his team to a second consecutive European Championship final, the Labour leader kept tabs on the situation in Dortmund during a NATO meeting. But now, with the Three Lions triumphing over the Netherlands, Starmer could have a significant decision to make.

There have been suggestions that a bank holiday should ensue if England manages to secure only their second major trophy in history. It comes as Southgate aims to surpass his achievement at Euro 2020, which took place in 2021 when the Three Lions lost to Italy in a penalty shootout.

Starmer has refrained from confirming any plans, stating that he didn’t want to “jinx it”, but he did share his thoughts. “We should certainly mark the occasion,” he commented at the NATO summit. “I attended the last Euros finals. I don’t want to experience that again, so I don’t want to jinx anything. We must commemorate it in some way, but the most crucial thing is securing victory on Sunday”. He also shared his confidence that England would go “all the way.”

During the last Euros in 2021, Sir Keir Starmer, then the opposition leader, championed the idea of a bank holiday should England have triumphed in the final at Wembley. “The whole country is incredibly proud of what Gareth Southgate and our England heroes have achieved already,” he expressed at the time. “History has been made. If we win on Sunday, the country should get the chance to celebrate it properly with an extra bank holiday, granted in the name of the England team. I’ve got a strong feeling it’s coming home.”

Although his prediction did not come to pass, Starmer was not alone in the call for celebration. Frances O’Grady, the former Trades Union Congress general secretary, also weighed in. She asserted: “If England bring it home on Sunday, the government should allow the country to celebrate by announcing a special bank holiday. But it can’t just be a one-off. UK workers get fewer bank holidays than most of our European counterparts. The TUC has long called for more public holidays. So come on England!”

Now, thanks to the efforts of Ollie Watkins and his teammates -who pulled off one of England’s most memorable comebacks yet – the notion of a celebratory bank holiday resurfaces. Starmer shared his enthusiasm on X, formerly Twitter, afterwards. “What a game @England and what a winner,” Starmer posted. “Berlin here we come!” The PM also took to social media to share his reaction to Harry Kane’s first-half penalty leveller. “Picked the right moment to pop out from NATO meetings and check the score…” he wrote.

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