Sir Keir Starmer meets Gary Neville (AGAIN): PM says 'whole country is behind England' but appears to reject calls for bank holiday if they win as he's interviewed by ITV pundit before Euros final
Sir Keir Starmer said the 'whole country is behind' England ahead of the Euro 2024 final as he was interviewed by Gary Neville tonight.
The pair appeared in a General Election campaign video together last month ahead of Sir Keir's triumph against Rishi Sunak on July 4.
Speaking to the ITV pundit on the side of the pitch in Berlin, Sir Keir praised the Three Lions for their 'talent, skill and strategy' and spoke about his first few days as Prime Minister.
'It's been an amazing 10 days, to have a Labour government be able to hit the ground running which we've tried to do, to get across that sense of service,' he said.
'But look, electoral victories don't drop from the sky - we had to really work for that. Same for the England manager, you don't get to the final just by luck.
'This is hard work, this is talent, skill, strategy, and I just desperately hope now that we get that win this evening.'
Sir Keir Starmer with ITV pundit Gary Neville ahead of the Euro 2024 final tonight
Sir Keir Starmer said the 'whole country is behind' England as he was interviewed this evening
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the Euro 2024 final in Berlin today
Sir Keir Starmer said the 'whole country is behind' England ahead of the Euro 2024 final
Sir Keir Starmer said he 'desperately' hopes England will secure the win this evening
Sir Keir Starmer, Laura Woods and Gary Neville (right) on ITV Sport today
Sir Keir Starmer, Laura Woods (centre) and Gary Neville (right) on ITV Sport
When asked if he could relate to the struggles and criticism faced by England manager Gareth Soughgate over the last four weeks, Sir Keir said: 'I can totally relate to that. When I started as Labour leader, people said, ''you're not going to get it over the line, you're not going quick enough, you'll never turn it around in five years and get a Labour government''.
'Gareth obviously starts this, people are saying ''it's not good enough''. I always said from the get go by the way, ''this is a fantastic squad''. He's a great manager who will get the best out of them, and so I'm really pleased they've got this far and they should be so proud.
'We're all really proud - the whole country is behind them.'
Asked if he will still have time to support Arsenal - his favourite team - while running as PM, Sir Keir said: 'I have already got the Arsenal fixtures in my diary, whether I'll make them or not is another matter, but they're in.'
Praising the England team, Sir Keir added: 'The whole squad has been brilliant if I'm honest.
'I think there's such optimism. I've just come from London. It's sort of breathing optimism and in the summer for us to be here and to win this would just be really fanatastic.'
The PM and A-List celebrities including Ed Sheeran and Stephen Fry wished the Three Lions good luck for the Euro 2024 final tonight.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wished England good luck in a video message posted on social media
Sir Keir said: 'On behalf of the entire country, I want to wish you the very best of luck for the Euro finals tonight'
In a video message posted on social media, Sir Keir sent a touching message to the Three Lions expressing the country's pride and admiration.
'On behalf of the entire country, I want to wish you the very best of luck for the Euro finals tonight,' the PM said.
'Now you don't need our good luck because you're there because of your talent, your skills, and your hard graft.
'You have already made our country so proud, and we're backing you all of the way.'
Ed Sheeran also wished the team a successful match in a video message which saw the singer say: 'I just really feel that everything is coming together at the right point and I can't wait for Sunday. It's coming home and good luck lads.'
Star Ellie Goulding said: 'Just bring it home for us, please, please please, we love you, thank you.'
Stephen Fry added: 'We're incredibly proud, and we wish this England side the very best of luck in the final.'
Ed Sheeran also wished the team a successful match in a video message
Star Ellie Goulding said: 'Just bring it home for us, please, please please, we love you, thank you'
Ed Sheeran said: 'I just really feel that everything is coming together at the right point and I can't wait for Sunday'
Amanda Holden could be seen wearing a large England hat and cheering on England
Stephen Fry said: 'We're incredibly proud, and we wish this England side the very best of luck in the final'
Paddy McGuiness said: 'Go and put your names in the history books.'
Michael McIntyre also cheered on the team, saying: 'One more, just one more. We can do this! Come on England!'
Amanda Holden could be seen wearing a large England hat and shouting enthusiastically: 'Come on England, come on England, come on!'
Other England fans also sent the team messages of support. One fan said: 'They deserve it tonight.'
Another said: 'Good luck England! Bring it home!'
