Poor old Sir Keir Starmer. Wrong man in the wrong job. So much hope now squandered. But its important not to over-think or over-worry what comes next. In Gilts there is truth and the 10-year yield is still south of 5%. Andy Burnham needs to prove himself a leader and demonstrate ideas and action. Is that too much to ask?
The imminent departure of Sir Keir Starmer (it is a matter of when, not if) is bread and circuses. His defenestration will distract and amuse the chattering political classes and infuriate voters as yet more evidence of Broken Britain. But we need to be honest – it's not any single “leader’s” fault. 60 years of bad decisions piled on poor policies have landed the UK in the mire of the present. It can be fixed – but it will need a reset.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk in the USA is a stark warning of rabid political polarisation. Here in the UK the marginalisation of the Tories, and Labour’s caution, has opened the door for Nigel Farage’s new populist Reform Party. How are markets likely to price a Reform Win in the run-up to the next UK election in 2029? To win without destabilising markets, Farage has much to do to establish its’ political credentials, competency and policy – and show that he has evolved.
The scale of the UK’s funding crisis is becoming increasingly apparent. It can be fixed – but needs political sacrifice. “Changing Policy” and backing off promises has costs and consequences. The UK is not in dire peril - it remains a fine, innovative and strong economy, but we need to get real on spending and how its funded.
Alzheimers is becoming the most common cause of death. The costs it imposes, usually on families, but also on society are immense. Preventing it will require investment to research and therapies, but these makes sense in terms of the quantum (all of us!), and reducing the healthcare burden on society. There are investment solutions!
The UK is even more broke that we thought. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is determined to address the crisis. However, austerity is pointless unless it’s accompanied by genuine fiscal reform and policies designed to foster growth, jobs, and wealth creation. That’s a bigger challenge than just cutting spending.
This week’s Covid Inquiry in the UK has been revelatory for what it revealed about political incompetence. That’s a good thing – a timely reminder that politics is about service rather ambition. Better politics = better economies.
The last thing new UK premier Liz Truss will try to do is fix the NHS. Too difficult and an electoral minefield. It will get worse. But, tech and medical advances plus a bit of flair could give us a new NHS fit for purpose and ready for the next century. It will take will and imagination – which is unlikely to be found in the Department of Health or No 10.
The UK is at risk of breaking its “Virtuous Sovereign Trinity” of stable politics, currency and bond markets. Collapsing confidence in politics to stem the slide in sterling and thus Gilts, could see the UK stumble into a crippling Sovereign Financial crisis sooner than we think possible.
As summer wends towards its end, a winter of populist discontent from left and right will make Europe increasingly fraxious. While the US economy will likely be on path to recovery – Europe will still be trending down.












