Prime Minister Keir Starmer's appeal for unity across the British Isles and support for England in their World Cup semi-final against Argentina has been rejected by Scottish MPs. England is set to face Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, aiming to reach their first World Cup final since 1966.
MPs from Scottish constituencies have voiced their disapproval of Starmer's request. Brian Leishman, the Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, criticized the plea on social media, stating it was one of the "woeful shouts" he had witnessed from the Prime Minister. Pete Wishart, the SNP MP for Perth and Kinross-shire, responded with a dismissive GIF.
Scotland was eliminated from the World Cup during the group stages. A Downing Street spokesperson stated that the Prime Minister "would very much encourage unity" and urged "everyone to be supporting the England team."
If England secures a victory, Prime Minister Starmer could potentially attend the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday, which would mark one of his final acts as Prime Minister before he is scheduled to be replaced by Andy Burnham on Monday. Should he attend the final and England win, he would need to depart immediately after the match to return in time for the handover of power to King Charles.
The match is being played amidst escalating tensions, with reports of Argentinian players referencing the Falkland Islands and Diego Maradona's controversial "Hand of God" goal from 40 years ago. Argentina's foreign minister has questioned the legitimacy of a 2013 referendum on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, a claim that Downing Street has refuted, asserting that sovereignty is not negotiable. Maradona had previously described his infamous goal as symbolic revenge for the 1982 Falklands War.