Downing Street has firmly dismissed calls for a Bank Holiday should England's Lionesses triumph in the UEFA Women's Euro 2024 final this Sunday. This comes despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously suggesting he would consider the move if the team secured victory.
The clarification from No. 10 has sparked disappointment among football fans and campaigners who had hoped for a national day of celebration. A spokesperson stated: "There are currently no plans to introduce an additional Bank Holiday."
Political Backtrack?
The announcement marks a notable shift from Starmer's position during the election campaign, when he told The Sun newspaper: "I would certainly want to mark the occasion and celebrate the fantastic achievement of the Lionesses."
Government sources now suggest that while the achievement would be celebrated, existing mechanisms for national recognition - such as honours lists - would be more appropriate than a Bank Holiday.
Public Reaction
The decision has drawn mixed reactions:
- Football supporters' groups have called it a "missed opportunity" to celebrate women's sport
- Business leaders have welcomed the certainty for workplaces
- Opposition MPs accuse the government of "going back on its word"
With the final just days away, the debate looks set to continue regardless of Sunday's result at Berlin's Olympiastadion.
