Gareth Southgate’s England squad is gearing up for their first major tournament final on foreign soil after a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in Wednesday’s semi-final.
Should England triumph on Sunday, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey is advocating for a national bank holiday to celebrate. “The Three Lions are playing their first-ever final on foreign soil, and if they bring it home, the government should bring home a bank holiday to celebrate,” he said. “England deserves the chance to celebrate a once-in-a-generation event. Who knows, we might even get decent weather.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party have historically supported bank holidays following major football successes. When the England men’s team reached the Euro 2020 final at Wembley three years ago, Starmer called for an “extra bank holiday,” stating, “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.”
Similarly, when the Lionesses reached the Women’s World Cup final in 2023, also against Spain, Starmer pushed for a bank holiday. However, the Conservative government at the time dismissed the possibility, and the Lionesses lost the final 1-0 to Spain.
Bank holidays in the UK are created by Royal Proclamation, with the head of state acting on the advice of ministers. The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) oversees bank holidays.
Following England’s semi-final win over the Netherlands, King Charles issued a statement: “My wife and I join all our family in wishing you the warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the UEFA European Championship – and in sending our very best wishes for Sunday’s match. If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last-minute wonder-goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated! Good luck, England.”
