The Readout

Apart from Whisky, the US-UK Trade Picture Is Getting Worse

Trade with the US is going in the wrong direction, despite the whisky moves.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham during a visit to a school in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, on April 13.Photographer: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
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The sun is shining and London is hotter than the Mediterranean today. But beneath the smiles and suncream (apply it NOW!), there exists deep uncertainty: political, international and economic.

Local elections next week will trigger another bout of Labour leadership speculation. Westminster WhatsApp groups are thrumming with tales of former deputy prime minister and darling of the Labour grassroots Angela Rayner.