The pound dropped 2% to a 5-week low at $1.336 amid expectations of a leadership challenge to UK PM Keir Starmer by Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, sparking concerns over potential loosening of fiscal rules and increased borrowing.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed defends Keir Starmer amid popularity concerns, urging Labour to focus on national change over internal conflicts, as Andy Burnham is tipped for a potential leadership bid.
Rayner and Burnham are trying to gain markets’ confidence amid concerns they could loosen fiscal rules if they replace StarmerWho calls the shots on the bin collections in Sunderland, potholes in Hackney, or schools in Cardiff is not normally of interest to City traders in the multitrillion-pound sovereign bond market.But for those dealing in UK government debt, Thursday’s local and devolved government elections are significantly more important than usual, amid speculation that a dire showing for Keir Starmer’s Labour party could topple him as prime minister. Continue reading...
