Andy Burnham, the recently elected MP for Makerfield and expected successor to Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader, has tempered England's World Cup ambitions, stating the team needs to improve before fans can seriously dream of victory. Speaking to LBC, Burnham described speculation about a bank holiday if England wins the tournament as 'a bit premature'.
Burnham's Cautious Outlook After DR Congo Win
The Three Lions secured a 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday, July 1, with two goals from Harry Kane. However, Burnham, an Everton fan, was not overly impressed. 'We struggled, let's say. And full respect to the Democratic Republic of Congo, but I think we might be getting ahead of ourselves,' he told Andrew Marr.
Burnham could become Prime Minister as soon as July 20 if he remains the only candidate to succeed Sir Keir Starmer. The World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, kicking off at 8pm UK time. This means Starmer could still be PM when the final takes place, with the formal handover expected on July 20, the next working day after nominations close on July 16.
England's Next Match and Extended Pub Hours
England will face Mexico in the round of 16, with the match kicking off at 1am on Monday, July 6. The Government has announced that pubs across England and Wales can stay open until 5am for the game, following calls from MPs for extended hours beyond the 2am limit previously in place for other England matches.
Burnham refused to commit to a bank holiday if England wins the World Cup, saying, 'It would be a fantastic moment, wouldn't it, and we can hope and pray that. I'm an Evertonian, I do not ever back anything when it comes to football, I don't do it with England either.'
