Tony Travers: London local election result could trigger housebuilding slump May 7, 2026 The result of the forthcoming local elections could trigger a further slump in housebuilding in the capital as a shake-up in council composition obstructs development plans. Voters head to the polls in every London borough today, with polling suggesting Labour is on course to shed dozens of seats and lose its grip on the capital, [...]
Local elections 2026: City awaits ‘significant’ event for Labour leadership May 7, 2026 City giants have warned today’s local elections will be “significant” for market pricing, with traders keeping a close eye on possible leadership moves made by the likes of Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham. Several financial behemoths have lined up to warn investors that results across the country over the coming days could be unusually important [...]
London local elections 2026: Who will win in Kingston upon Thames? May 6, 2026 In the Lib Dems’ leafy heartlands, campaigns have included demands for an M&S. But a third runner has entered the traditional two-horse race with the Tories in Ed Davey’s own backyard – the Kingston Independent Residents Group. Kingston upon Thames is both the geographic and the spiritual home of the Liberal Democrats. The leafy south [...]
London local elections 2026: Who will win in the borough of Islington? May 6, 2026 Labour’s dominance makes it almost a one-party authority here. But the Greens are on the march backing rent control after big-name infighting between the likes of Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer means no shortage of political drama. At first glance, Islington Council’s composition is like North Korea’s. It is all-but a one-party authority. At the [...]
‘Clear risk signal’: Gilt yields hit 28-year high as investors weigh Starmer’s future after local elections May 5, 2026 Gilt yields have risen to their highest rate since 1998 as investors weigh the odds of Keir Starmer being ousted following what is widely expected to be a major defeat for Labour at the local elections. The yield on 30-year government bonds rose 11 basis points on Tuesday to hit 5.76 per cent, topping the [...]
Rachel Reeves battled Scott Bessent over Iran war May 5, 2026 Chancellor Rachel Reeves sparred with Donald Trump’s Treasury secretary Scott Bessent over the US’s attacks on Iran, it has been reported. During her stay in Washington DC for meetings at the International Monetary Fund last month, Reeves hit out at the Trump official for “how he had spoken to her.” The two sparred over the [...]
‘Critically low levels’: UK braces for jet fuel shortage as rationing looms May 5, 2026 The UK is particularly vulnerable to the jet fuel shortages caused by the Iran war, as the risk of rationing looms as supplies fall to “critically low levels” while the summer holidays creep closer. The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led to an “extreme tightness” in the supply of jet fuel in [...]
Kemi Badenoch: Thoughtful, patient…radical? May 5, 2026 With local elections just days away much of the focus has been on what the results will mean for Keir Starmer’s chances of survival. Related to this is the question of how well Reform and the Greens will do, with fewer column inches devoted to what lies ahead for the Conservatives. To some extent this [...]
Kemi Badenoch interview: ‘I want an economic revolution’ May 5, 2026 Kemi Badenoch has told City AM she wants to deliver “an economic revolution” in the UK, based on lower taxes, less government intervention and “a mindset shift” that puts businesses and the City at the heart of the growth agenda. Speaking ahead of this week’s local elections, the Tory leader says she is developing policies [...]
UK to join EU Ukraine loan talks in defence push May 3, 2026 The UK is set to begin negotiations to join the European Union’s €90bn (£78bn) loan scheme for Ukraine, as Keir Starmer steps up efforts to deepen defence cooperation with European allies. Speaking ahead of a summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Yerevan, Armenia, the prime minister is expected to signal Britain’s intention to [...]