Andy Burnham calls World Cup bank holiday push ‘a bit premature’
Andy Burnham says speculation about a bank holiday if England win the World Cup is “a bit premature”.
Mr Burnham, who is expected to be officially declared leader of the Labor Party on July 17 if no other candidate emerges, will assume the role of prime minister on the next working day, July 20. This timeline is consistent with the party’s established practice of leadership transitions.
England will face Mexico in the round of 16 after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 on Wednesday. The World Cup final will be played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19 at 20:00 UK time.
Speaking to LBC, the Makerfield MP said the team had “some improvements to make before we seriously start dreaming of returning home”.
Asked by Andrew Marr about England’s recent performance, the lifelong Everton fan said: “Let’s say we struggled. I have full respect for the Democratic Republic of Congo as well, but I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves.”
He continued: “There’s a huge game coming up on Sunday. We have to live with hope. I think it might be a little too early to speculate. It would be a great moment, wouldn’t it, and we can hope and pray for that. I’m an Evertonian, I never support anything when it comes to football, I don’t do that with England either.”
Despite Mr Burnham’s cautious outlook, the Government announced that pubs in England and Wales will be allowed to stay open until 5am due to England’s upcoming clash with Mexico, which starts at 1am on Monday.
The extension follows calls from MPs for opening hours after 2am, which are already recognized for other England matches.
