This might be one of the quickest U-turns in modern political history. He goes from saying he’ll be “watching the game for sure” to “I’m not even sure if I’ll be able to watch the game” within the space of about ten seconds. That’s one player staying on the bench over the campaign to open the pubs early. “Honestly…”

A galactico line-up of cross-party leaders are calling on local councils to grant extensions to alcohol licences so that punters can enjoy a pint for the Women’s World Cup Final this weekend.  The LibDems kicked-off, never missing a chance to deploy their tried and tested method of political gamesmanship, and demanded the recall of Parliament so that a last minute statutory instrument could be scored. Although this ended up being yet another own goal – Parliament was, of course, not recalled – the government quickly got on the counter-attack. Michael Gove got onside with a Bright press release, setting up local councils to make the decisions themselves. It’s an open goal…

The offensive was assisted from the right wing, with Nigel Farage posting a video on X cheering on local councils to “pull your fingers out” and get the pubs open. Not to be excluded, Labour hit right back, with shadow minister Steven Morgan telling Times Radio that licences “have got to be flexible”. Now councils just need to get the ball over the line.

Political pundits and Westminster hacks (along with the rest of the country) eagerly watched England’s triumphant victory against rivals Germany in last night’s match. Guido has collected the best and worst political reactions.

• Enjoying the match from the stands Guido spotted, Sadiq Khan, Oliver Dowden, Dan Rosenfield, and David Lammy.
• Dowden proudly posted an instagram pic of himself celebrating alongside Prince William, George, and Kate Middleton.
• Boris Johnson took several staged photos with Carrie, featuring the pair enjoying football in the No. 10 offices. However, leaked videos from later in the night, show the PM almost jumping for joy when Kane scored England’s second goal, shouting “Harry Kane’s finally scored”. Boris actually recognised Harry Kane… 

Boris Johnson limbs when Kane scored. pic.twitter.com/4b8SepNo3J

— Away Days Videos (@AwayDaysVideos) June 29, 2021

• Nicola Sturgeon reluctantly congratulated England for their victorious win, tweeting: “still just one team unbeaten by England so far in Euro2020″. 

Congratulations, @England
(Still just one team unbeaten by 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 so far in @EURO2020 😉🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿)

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 29, 2021

• Angela Rayner couldn’t resist making a party political jibe, whilst everyone else was having fun watching the match. She tweeted “I’m genuinely worried Priti Patel would stop football at the border and try to deport it”. 

I’m genuinely worried Priti Patel would stop football at the border and try to deport it https://t.co/rTwckjmyj0

— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) June 29, 2021

Last night on Sky News, Isabel Oakeshott accused the Sky News of trying to start a “race row” with the worst take that goal scorer Raheem Sterling should have appeared on more front pages of newspapers. 

Having avoided a national row about the kneeling, could we not avoid a race row when everyone is celebrating?

A video message for a national celebration arguably shouldn’t be newsworthy, however Guido’s checked the records and this is only the third ever video message on St. George’s Day from a British PM since 2008. It’s the first since Cameron in 2016…

One of the smallest parts of the UK is handling the vaccine rollout best. According to official data, Northern Ireland has vaccinated the highest proportion of any part of the UK, and is miles ahead of its neighbour to the south too. Next comes England, close behind. Curiously after that a significant gap has opened up…

Scotland started off as the most vaccinated part of the UK, yet now has slid almost as low as Wales. If Sturgeon spent less time setting up new independence committees and more time driving the vaccine rolls out, perhaps Scotland would not be lagging so much. Wales has consistently lagged behind with the rollout, hindered by Mark Drakeford’s insane “go slow” approach. The first minister opposes using all the vaccine he has quickly to avoid leaving “our vaccinators standing around with nothing to do”.