Will England Get a Bank Holiday if They Win Euro 2024 Final Against Spain?
As England prepares to play Spain in the Euro 2024 final anticipation for both the actual contest and a possible national celebration is strong.
After defeating the Netherlands in an exciting semifinal match, Gareth Southgate’s team is about to win their first European Championship away from home.
Sunday’s Euro 2024 final between Gareth Southgate’s team and Spain will mark England’s first-ever tournament final played abroad. The Liberal Democrats have called for a bank holiday should England win, but will it actually occur?
And Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey thinks the nation ought to have a bank holiday to celebrate if England wins on Sunday.
“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 in a press release.
“England should be able to commemorate an occasion that comes just once in a generation. Who knows, maybe we’ll even have pleasant weather.”
The Labour Party and recently elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have previously supported declaring bank holidays in the wake of significant English football victories. Three years prior, at Wembley, the Labour leader had asked for a “extra bank holiday” after the England men’s team advanced to the Euro 2020 final.
At the time, he declared, “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.” In 2023, when the Lionesses advanced to the Women’s World Cup final and, ironically, faced Spain, the leader of Labour also demanded a bank holiday.
But in the event that England prevailed, a bank holiday was ruled out by the Conservative administration in charge at the time. Spain went on to win the final 1-0 against the Lionesses.
Also Read: Super-Sub Ollie Watkins’s Heroics Secures England Euro Final Spot with 2-1 Victory over Netherlands
How are public holidays and bank holidays distributed?
By royal proclamation, bank holidays and public holidays are established, with the head of state following the ministers’ recommendations. The government agency in charge of bank holidays is the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
“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,” said King Charles in a statement following England’s victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday night to advance to the final.
The pressure on the country’s heart rate and blood pressure would definitely be reduced if I could urge you to win before the necessity for any dramatic last-minute goals or penalties arises! England, good luck.”
