Och no! Scottish MPs reject Keir Starmer's 'woeful' plea for Scotland and Wales fans to support England in their World Cup semi-final

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 16:21, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 16:27, 14 July 2026 Scottish MPs today rejected a 'woeful' plea from Keir Starmer for Scotland and Wales fans to rally behind England during tomorrow's World Cup semi-final. England will take on Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday with the Three Lions bidding to reach their first World Cup final since 1966. Ahead of the match, Sir Keir called for 'unity' across the British Isles and encouraged those from other UK nations to support England in their bid for glory. But the Prime Minister's words were dismissed by MPs from Scottish constituencies.  Brian Leishman, the Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth and a persistent critic of Sir Keir's leadership, posted on X: 'Been 2 years of some woeful shouts from the man, but this one is right up there.' Pete Wishart, the MP for Perth and Kinross-shire and the SNP's deputy leader in the House of Commons, shared a gif of a woman with her arms crossed together with the caption: 'Nah I don't think so!'. If England beat Argentina on Wednesday, Sir Keir could make attending the World Cup final his last act as PM before he is replaced by Andy Burnham on Monday. He is widely expected to travel to New Jersey for the culmination of the tournament on Sunday if there is a chance of Three Lions glory. Scottish MPs today rejected a 'woeful' plea from Keir Starmer for Scotland and Wales fans to rally behind England during tomorrow's World Cup semi-final Brian Leishman, Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth and a persistent critic of Sir Keir, posted on X: 'Been 2 years of some woeful shouts from the man, but this one is right up there' Scotland crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages after losing to Brazil and Morocco following their opening 1-0 win against Haiti. Ahead of England's semi-final on Wednesday, the Prime Minister's official spokesman told reporters: 'The PM would very much encourage unity - he would encourage everyone to be supporting the England team.'  If England beat Argentina and Sir Keir does attend Sunday's final, the outgoing PM will need to board a plane home almost immediately after the final whistle to make it back in time to see the King for the handover of power to Mr Burnham. Sir Keir, an Arsenal supporter, is also preparing to grant a Bank Holiday next Friday should Thomas Tuchel's England side end the country's long wait for glory. Tensions are escalating ahead of the semi-final clash, with footage emerging of Argentina's players chanting about the Falkland Islands and Diego Maradona's notorious 'Hand of God' goal 40 years ago. In an essay for La Nacion newspaper, foreign minister Pablo Quirno claimed a referendum showing support for UK sovereignty of the archipelago was illegitimate because the population had been 'artificially implanted by the occupying power'. The 2013 vote overwhelmingly backed staying as a British overseas territory, but Mr Quirno argued that no poll organised 'unilaterally' by the UK can have 'legal effect', instead demanding negotiations. Downing Street has hit back insisting sovereignty of the Falklands is not up for grabs. Maradona described his 'Hand of God' goal as 'symbolic revenge' for the 1982 Falklands War, which Argentina lost heavily suffering huge casualties.