Andy Burnham has called speculation about a bank holiday if England win the World Cup “a bit premature”.
Mr Burnham, who is expected to be formally declared Labour leader on July 17 if no other candidates emerge, would assume the premiership on the following working day, July 20. This timeline aligns with the party's established practice for leadership transitions.
England are set to face Mexico in the round of 16, having secured a 2-1 victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday. The World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at 8pm UK time in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Speaking to LBC, the Makerfield MP said the team had "a bit of improvement to do before we can start seriously dreaming of it coming home."
Asked by Andrew Marr about England’s recent performance, the lifelong Everton fan remarked: "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 continued, “There’s a very big game coming up on Sunday. We do have to live in hope. I think, you know, it might be a bit premature to be speculating. 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."
Despite Mr Burnham’s cautious outlook, the Government announced that pubs across England and Wales will be permitted to remain open until 5am for England’s upcoming clash with Mexico, which kicks off at 1am on Monday.
This extension follows calls from MPs for opening hours beyond the 2am already granted for other England matches.
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