Andy Burnham says nation united behind England’s rollercoaster bid for World Cup glory forward of Norway conflict
EXCLUSIVE: PM-in-waiting Andy Burnham said the ‘whole country feels like it’s going on the same journey together’ as the Three Lions take on Norway in quarter-final clash
England will take on Norway in the quarter finals of the World Cup (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Fans uniting behind England’s nail-biting World Cup campaign is a reminder of “how much we have in common” in divided times, Andy Burnham has said.
The Prime Minister-in-waiting said the “entire country is on that rollercoaster together” as the Three Lions take their next step towards World Cup glory against Norway tonight.
Writing in the Mirror, he said Thomas Tuchel’s men had the hopes of the nation on their shoulders as he cheered them to victory. “Sometimes it can feel like these moments, when the entire country comes together, are few and far between nowadays,” he said.
“That’s why this World Cup has made me feel hopeful. Not just because Harry Kane has brought his shooting boots and Jordan Pickford is having the tournament of his life. But because the whole country feels like it’s going on the same journey together.
“Parents letting kids stay up until the early hours to watch the games live; pub goers cheering a re-run of Pointless on the big screen because they don’t want the party to end.
“Sometimes it can feel like we’re living in an increasingly divided country and the political turbulence of the last decade certainly hasn’t helped. But in moments like this, it reminds us of how much we have in common.”
The Everton-mad MP said football had given him some of the best moments of his life, as he recalled growing up as a Toffees fan in a Liverpool-supporting Culcheth. He said the game had the power to give people a sense of community and place, whether it was a pub team playing five-a-side or Harry Kane stepping up to take a penalty.
“These are our teams, forged in our communities, representing our places,” he said.
Mr Burnham is on course to become Prime Minister after securing the backing of 322 Labour MPs to become party leader. He is expected to formally take over from Keir Starmer on July 20, the day after the World Cup final.
Earlier this week, Mr Starmer dropped his heaviest hint yet that he wants to reward the nation with a bank holiday if England end 60 years of hurt.
Asked if he’d grant a bank holiday if England wins the World Cup, Mr Starmer told reporters at the Nato summit: “On the question of a bank holiday, I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.”
Downing Street is understood to be preparing for the idea, with a bank holiday most likely be held on the Friday after the World Cup final.
