The Premier League may be taking a back seat for now, but England's chances in the World Cup are still getting plenty of airtime in Westminster. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has thrown his hat into the ring, suggesting that if the Three Lions emerge victorious, we might just get an extra day off to bask in the glory – and it could be as soon as Friday 24th July.
The idea is that the team would return from their final match on the Sunday preceding, giving us a chance to get together with family and friends to celebrate what would undoubtedly be one of the greatest moments in English sporting history. The England squad has been making waves so far – that stunning 3-2 win over Mexico was "one of the best performances I've ever seen," according to Sir Keir, who witnessed it all from his visit to Ankara.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet! Next up for Gareth Southgate's side is a quarter-final showdown against Norway in Miami this Saturday. If they progress, we'll be facing either Argentina or Switzerland in Atlanta on 15th July – and the nation will be holding its collective breath as we cheer them on.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Store of Norway was treated to some good-natured ribbing from Sir Keir, who reminded him that England's only World Cup victories have come under Labour governments. And while there were calls for Sir Keir to intervene in Jarell Quansah's red card fiasco – following reports that Donald Trump had somehow managed to get a ban overturned for US player Folarin Balogun – it seems the PM is leaving that one well alone.
The idea of a bank holiday to celebrate an England World Cup win has sparked debate among politicians, with some arguing it's a way to boost national morale and others warning about the potential economic implications. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is sceptical, suggesting that while the public sector might get the day off, it would be taxpayers who foot the bill for the private sector to keep working as usual.
It's a timely reminder of the broader debate around national celebrations and their impact on our daily lives. While a bank holiday could be just what we need to come together and bask in the glory of an England win, its practicalities remain up for discussion – but one thing's for sure: we'll all be keeping our fingers crossed as the Three Lions charge forward in search of victory.