Sterling rises as local election results show Labour losses, gilts edge up
Market Reactions to UK Local Election Results and Political Outlook
By Stefano Rebaudo
Sterling and Currency Movements
May 8 (Reuters) - Sterling climbed against the euro and the dollar on Friday after local election results in the UK so far confirmed expectations of significant Labour losses, with investors turning their attention to the outlook for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Starmer’s Labour party haemorrhaged support in areas reporting results overnight, with results still rolling in on Friday.
Global Market Focus
Markets also remained focused on developments in the Middle East.
Pound and Dollar Performance
By Friday morning, the pound was up 0.21% at $1.3578, and was roughly flat against the euro, which traded at 86.47 pence.
The U.S. dollar index edged down against most major currencies on Friday after renewed hostilities broke out between the U.S. and Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters the ceasefire was still in effect.
Labour Party Results and Political Implications
In the UK local elections, analysts argued on Thursday that a poor result by Labour was anticipated but it was not clear whether there would be an immediate leadership challenge to the Prime Minister.
Leadership Challenge Speculation
"There have already been calls for him to set a timetable for handing over power," Mohit Kumar, an economist at Jefferies, said.
"From a market's perspective, any replacement would be a left-leaning candidate and be fiscally negative," he added.
Gilts and Bond Market Response
Gilts rose slightly with the 10-year yield down 2.5 basis points at 4.92%.
Pressure on Starmer's Leadership
Some Labour lawmakers have said that if the party fails to hold many of the roughly 2,500 council seats it is defending in England then Starmer will face renewed pressure to quit or at least set out a timetable for his departure.
Government Response
However, British defence minister John Healey said Starmer can still turn things around, when he was asked if the prime minister should set a timetable for his departure.
(Reporting by Stefano Rebaudo; editing by Amanda Cooper and Susan Fenton)
