England have made it through to the Euro 2024 final and there are discussions about whether the country deserves an extra bank holiday to celebrate if they win.
After a last-minute winner from Ollie Watkins saw Gareth Southgate’s side defeat the Netherlands in a 2-1 win on Wednesday, July 10, England fans restored their faith in the team after what had been a rocky start to the campaign.
Since Spain beat France (also a 2-1 victory) in the other semi-final match played on Tuesday, July 9, England will take on the Spaniards in the final on Sunday, July 14.
Why do we have bank holidays?
It isn’t just fans who want an extra bank holiday though as the Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey is pushing for the day off.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “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.
“England deserves the chance to celebrate a once-in-a-generation event.
“Who knows, we might even get decent weather.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to attend the match in Berlin, after watching Wednesday’s semi-final from the Nato summit in Washington DC.
Should England get an extra bank holiday if they win the Euros?
So, if England are victorious and take home the Euro 2024 trophy, should the country be given an extra bank holiday to celebrate their success?
Let us know what you think in the poll below.
When was the last additional bank holiday in the UK?
The UK was given an extra bank holiday in celebration of King Charles’ Coronation but generally, new bank holidays aren’t added to the UK calendar.
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The extra Bank Holiday on May 6, 2023 was dubbed The Big Help Out and was set aside for volunteering in a tribute to the King’s lifetime of public service.
Buckingham Palace said the day would “encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas”.
Two extra one-off bank holidays were held across the UK in 2022 – one for the late Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee and another for her funeral.
