British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will host Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Everton’s Carabao Cup tie against Wolves tonight, combining bilateral diplomacy with a shared allegiance to the Merseyside club.
The two leaders will hold talks in Liverpool before travelling to the match, with trade, NATO and defence cooperation, and closer ties with Europe among the issues on the agenda.
Both men are longstanding Everton supporters.
Burnham has followed the club since childhood, while Carney’s connection comes through relatives in Liverpool and his years living in Britain, including his time as Governor of the Bank of England.
The invitation follows a promise Burnham made shortly after becoming Prime Minister in July that he would “roll out the blue carpet” for his Canadian counterpart and take him to an Everton game.
The visit comes as Carney seeks to deepen Canada’s economic and strategic relationships with Europe while reducing its dependence on the United States.
His government wants to double Canada’s non-US trade within a decade and is pursuing greater cooperation with Europe in areas including defence, investment and digital security.
For one evening, that diplomatic push will extend to the football terraces.
Burnham and Carney will watch Everton face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round of the League Cup at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
And after promising to roll out the blue carpet, Burnham now has to hope Everton deliver the result.
Sources
- Reuters – Burnham to host Carney at Everton after bilateral talks
- Reuters – Carney seeks closer European ties
- GOV.UK – Prime Minister Andy Burnham
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