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Jacob Rees-Mogg attempted to get in the football spirit by reciting a rap by England legend John Barnes to amused MPs in Parliament.

The dry-witted Commons leader read out the former winger’s lines from World In Motion, a 1990 World Cup anthem by New Order, on Thursday.

England made the final four of the World Cup 1990 before crashing out to Germany in the semi-finals – and will go at least one better in the Euros after reaching the final last night.  

The bizarre moment came as Labour said the Government should ‘honour’ the England team by focusing on British values such as international aid, the NHS, the environment and a Covid public inquiry.

Shadow Commons leader Thangam Debbonaire added that Prime Minister Boris Johnson should spend some time ‘studying at the Gareth Southgate school of leadership’.

She heralded the England manager for ‘inspiring his players to be the best they can be and to do it for their country’.

‘He backs them in their campaigning for social and racial justice, even under criticism, he instils relentless focus on hard work, he inspires them to be gracious in victory as well as learn from experience, and he’s rightly identified these values as patriotism’, she said.

Mr Rees-Mogg, in his familiar drawl, replied: ‘Everyone, I think, is rejoicing at the football success and I think the line to take is from Mr Barnes.

‘You’ve got to hold and give but do it at the right time.

‘You can be slow or fast but you must get to the line.

‘Can I reassure you, Mr Speaker, that we ain’t no hooligans, this ain’t a football song.

‘Three Lions on my chest, I know we can’t go wrong.

‘Or as another John put it, John Dryden, for they can conquer who believe they can.’

He added: ‘It is indeed the excellent leadership of Mr Southgate which led to such a good triumph yesterday against Denmark, and let’s hope for the same on Sunday.’

MPs made several attempts to reference the Three Lions over the course of the day – including the David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and Lightning Seeds classic which has aided England’s bid for glory.

Earlier, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said: ‘Indeed football is coming home, but I also think the chickens are coming home to roost for this Government.’

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