Keir Starmer eyes trip to World Cup final in last act as Prime Minister

3 weeks ago  ·  3 min read
By Barbara Williams - traveloasisspot.com
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Starmer Contemplates World Cup Final Attendance Before Handing Over Power

Traveloasisspot.com – Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is weighing up the possibility of traveling to watch England’s World Cup final match, potentially making it one of his most memorable final acts in office. Should the Three Lions secure victory against Argentina on Wednesday evening, the PM could find himself catching a flight to New Jersey to witness the decisive game firsthand.

The outgoing leader has already suggested that the nation might receive an additional bank holiday if England reaches the championship match on Sunday and emerges triumphant. This gesture would acknowledge the sporting achievement and allow citizens to celebrate alongside their team.

A Race Against Time for the Prime Minister

According to sources speaking with The Times, Sir Keir faces a tight schedule if he wishes to attend the match. He is scheduled to be succeeded as Labour leader next week, with former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham anticipated to formally assume control of the party on Friday. The transition of power would see Burnham become the new Prime Minister on Monday morning.

For Starmer to make the journey work, he would need to travel to the United States at short notice. The match would take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm local time on the American east coast. After the game, he would fly back to London, arriving in the capital at approximately 7:30am the following morning.

Once back in the UK, the Prime Minister would have a packed schedule ahead of him. He would deliver his final address from Downing Street before proceeding to Buckingham Palace, where he would formally present his resignation to the King. A Number 10 source confirmed that this travel would not cause any delays to the planned transfer of power.

England’s Path to the Final

England’s journey to the World Cup final has been nothing short of dramatic. On Saturday night, the team secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Norway in extra time, setting up their Wednesday clash with Argentina. The match kicks off at 8pm British time.

If Thomas Tuchel’s squad manages to overcome Argentina, they will face either Spain or tournament favorites France in the championship match. Sir Keir has already indicated his support for the team, hinting that an extra national day off could be on the cards if England brings the trophy home.

“I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final,” the Prime Minister told reporters during the Nato summit last week.

The most probable date for this potential bank holiday is Friday, July 24, according to reports.

Burnham’s Cautious Stance on Football Predictions

Meanwhile, Andy Burnham has been somewhat reserved about committing to a celebratory day off. Earlier this month, when questioned about the possibility, the incoming leader declined to give a definitive answer.

“I’m an Evertonian, I do not ever back anything when it comes to football, I don’t do it with England either,” Burnham told LBC.

He added that he believes the team still has room for improvement before they can genuinely start dreaming of bringing the tournament home to English soil. This cautious approach reflects his lifelong tendency to avoid making bold predictions about sporting outcomes.

The potential World Cup final visit represents more than just a sporting event for Starmer. It offers an opportunity to connect with the nation during a moment of collective excitement, demonstrating that even as political leadership changes, the Prime Minister remains engaged with the cultural and sporting life of the country. Whether he ultimately makes the journey remains to be seen, but the possibility has certainly captured public imagination as England’s football team pushes toward glory on the world stage.

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