Warning lights: UK services suffer worst shock since January 2023 June 23, 2026 Business activity across the UK economy is at a 14-month low, research has suggested, as growth has taken a toll from Labour’s political woes and the impact of the continued trade disruption. The initial estimate for S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dropped to a score of 49.4 in June, falling further below the neutral [...]
Burnham to lay out economic plan, but markets fear Miliband as Chancellor June 23, 2026 With more than three weeks to go before he can formally clinch the keys to 10 Downing Street, leadership challenger Andy Burnham is planning to make a major speech on the economy next week. It’s part of an effort to reassure the bond markets – to which he once said we shouldn’t be “in hock” [...]
As it happened: Stocks recover after markets rocked by tech-sell off; US claims ‘good foundations’ of Iran deal June 23, 2026 Welcome back to the Morning Wire liveblog. Markets have shrugged off the latest developments in US-Iran peace with the FTSE 100 falling at open as London got swept up in the wider sell-off that rocked Asia and Wall Street overnight. This comes despite some progress in the Middle East, with Trump’s Vice President JD Vance [...]
Here’s what a government led by Andy Burnham will look like June 23, 2026 The political economy of an Andy Burnham government is clear, it will be radically interventionist: nationalising failing utilities like Thames Water, investing in the green transition – and seeing the Iran War as a spur to the ultimate energy security of renewables plus nuclear; building a progressive economy of opportunity and prosperity for all, says [...]
Burnham might lift Labour’s mood but he won’t save the country June 23, 2026 It was a little under two years ago that Keir Starmer stood outside 10 Downing Street and declared that his new government would “end the era of noisy performance [and] tread a little more lightly on your lives.” It was a bold ambition and, after a shambolic end to Tory rule, a welcome one. Was [...]
Speed or stability? Bond markets strap in for Andy Burnham coronation June 22, 2026 City bond traders are strapping in for a “jumpy” ride as Andy Burnham looks set to cruise into Downing Street uncontested – even if a coronation helps head off the worst volatility, analysts have said. The former Manchester Mayor’s bid for the top job won a major boost today as former health secretary Wes Streeting [...]
Streeting backs Burnham as ‘King of the North’ calls for ‘orderly’ transfer of power June 22, 2026 Wes Streeting has backed Andy Burnham to become Prime Minister as the former Manchester mayor formally announced his leadership bid. The former health secretary said Burnham “can win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism”. Streeting said he had spoken “at length” with Burnham and said the former Manchester mayor was “committed [...]
As it happened: How Starmer resigned and when Streeting backed Burnham June 22, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer resigned as Prime Minister. The Labour leader said on Monday he “had heard the answer of the parliamentary party” that he was not the right person to lead the party into the next election. He said nominations for a new leader will open on July 9, and if a contest goes ahead, [...]
Nigel Farage calls for General Election after Starmer replacement June 22, 2026 Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for a general election after Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation today. In a Substack essay, Farage hit out at Andy Burnham – the likely successor to Starmer – and said that the UK could not “afford to waste another week drifting from crisis to crisis”. “To men [...]
Starmer resigns as Prime Minister June 22, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer has resigned as Prime Minister less than two years after winning a landslide victory at the 2024 general election. Starmer had faced mounting pressure in recent days after challenger Andy Burnham swept to victory in the Makerfield by-election. In a speech outside Downing Street, the Prime Minister said his position had become [...]