Politicians & England World Cup Finals. From Harold Wilson to Boris Johnson
The only time England have won the Football World Cup was in 1966 just months after Harold Wilson had led Labour to a 97 seat majority in the March Election of that year, Wilson noted:
“Have you noticed how we only win the World Cup under a Labour government”
Wilson was also privately, and perhaps correctly, concerned about the impact England’s failure in the 1970 World Cup would have on Labour’s chances in the June General Election of that year. Labour lost.
Fast forward to 2019 and Theresa May was present at Lords to see the England men’s team win the Cricket World Cup on the Sunday and welcomed them to Downing St on the Monday. May wasnt up to the level of political repartee required to refer back to Wilson’s quote but it did make it 1-1 all when it comes to Labour/Tory World Cups.
Now England have lost to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup during a General Election period.
Boris Johnson posted a pre-match message of support with him wearing an England Rugby Shirt which led to former England rugby player Brian Moore suggesting that he should f*ck off.
Moore had a point.
Wilson had already won the Election in 1966 and his comment was light hearted. The failure to win in 1970 probably wasn’t helped by England’s exit from the World Cup but it probably wasn’t decisive.
In the age of social media and 24 hour news who knows what Johnson’s efforts will achieve. The criticism is understandable though. Wilson was aware sport could have an electoral impact but didn’t go upfront about it.
May, who genuinely is a cricket fan, held an official event after the victory and certainly wasn’t able to make political capital out of it.
The point about Johnson’s rugby post was that it was so crude in Electioneering terms, but many might say that sums the man up
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