Starmer plans potential US trip for World Cup final
Sir Keir Starmer is eyeing a last-minute dash to the US for the World Cup final if England beat Argentina on Wednesday, as one of his final acts as prime minister, reports BritPanorama.
The outgoing prime minister would plan to watch the game at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sunday before returning to London for his final morning in office, sources told The Times.
Final details of the plan are still being drawn up, but a No 10 source confirmed that there would be no delay to the transfer of power.
Timings would be tight on the day. Starmer would presumably enjoy the match at 3pm local time on the east coast before flying back to London to arrive around 7:30am.
It is understood he will then give his final speech at Downing Street before travelling to Buckingham Palace to formally tender his resignation to the King. Andy Burnham is set to be coronated that afternoon after receiving an additional 27 nominations from Labour MPs on Monday, bringing his total to 349.
This development follows Downing Street’s rebuttal of comments made by Argentina’s foreign minister regarding the Falkland Islands, just days before the World Cup semi-final.
Pablo Quirno claimed that the population of the Falklands was “artificially implanted by the occupying power.”
Downing Street flatly rejected these claims, asserting that the Falkland Islanders are “British with a right to determine their own future.”
When asked about Mr Quirno’s remarks, the prime minister’s official spokesman responded decisively: “Well, no.”
He added: “The UK’s position is clear. The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory, and their right to self-determination is paramount.”
In a related note, the government is considering a bank holiday on Friday, 24 July, should England emerge victorious on Wednesday night, but this would only proceed if the team triumphs in the tournament.
