More than 70,000 people have signed a petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on British politics and democracy.

The answer is that it points to the emergence of a new and increasingly paranoid style in British politics – one which revolves around exaggeration, suspicion and conspiratorial fantasy.

Gold is flat at $4,125 an ounce, and oil (Brent crude) is down about 1.3% to $64.30 a barrel. Bitcoin is up 2.3% at $105,010 per coin, while Ethereum is up 4.7% at $3,580. The pound is down 0.4% against the US dollar at $1.310, and down 0.3% against the euro at €1.132.

Conservative activist Thomas Moffitt faced protesters at London School of Economics while discussing socially conservative values for Turning Point UK.

After a series of missteps and about-faces, British prime minister Keir Starmer’s popularity has tanked, and his leadership may not last much longer.

News of the improved forecast calmed markets. Gilts and the pound had earlier sold off steeply when the FT reported that the government had abandoned plans to raise income tax rates amid fears it would anger voters and further antagonise mutinous Labour MPs.

With a little more than a week to go until the UK’s Autumn Budget on 26 November, financial markets are looking twitchy. Government bond (gilt) yields are up 15 basis points from their low last week on reports that the Treasury has abandoned plans to lift income tax, supposedly on the back of better economic forecasts.

The British government plans to tighten its asylum system, following Denmark's model, to reduce immigration and address the political storm over migrants crossing the English Channel.

U.K. Prime Minister Kier Starmer said Prince Andrew should testify in Jeffrey Epstein investigation as U.S. House committee requests royal cooperation.

A group of UK lawmakers is calling for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to introduce a new visa to help attract wealthy foreigners as well-heeled residents continue to flee the nation amid tax hikes.

Britain will remove 150 pounds ($198.23) a year on average from energy bills by moving some costs to general taxation and cutting a scheme to help pay for home improvements, finance minister Rachel Reeves said on Wednesday.

Dramatic numbers! Keir Starmer's approval rating drops as Nigel Farage gains popularity. Reform overtakes conservatives. See the latest poll results.