Can England win the World Cup without a Labour Government?
As England play Spain in the Football World Cup final on Sunday will Harold Wilson’s 1966 record remain safe? Namely that England only win football finals under a Labour Government
The only time England have won the 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”
He may well have got the line from comedian Mike Yarwood
Wilson was also privately, and 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.
The Lionesses are in a broader win-win situation on Sunday. If they win, as one hopes, it will surely mean Keir Starmer is on his way to No.10. If they lose Rishi Sunak’s days are numbered.
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