Tag: UK
Bi-Weekly Geopolitical Report – Meet Andy Burnham (August 10, 2026)
by Patrick Fearon-Hernandez, CFA | PDF
In July 2026, the United Kingdom got its seventh prime minister in a decade when Andy Burnham replaced Keir Starmer as leader of the center-left Labour Party and head of government. Burnham’s rise is remarkable not only because he returned to regional politics following a self-imposed exile, but because he has successfully recast himself from a conventional Westminster politician into a champion of Britain’s forgotten regions. His ascent reflects many of the same forces that have reshaped politics across the developed world: frustration with centralized government, anger over stagnant living standards, and demands for a new economic model that spreads growth more evenly across society.
As we show in this report, Burnham’s government is likely to blend economic nationalism, regional devolution, selective state intervention, and a pragmatic foreign policy rooted in domestic priorities. His administration promises to have significant implications for Britain’s geopolitical posture, economic trajectory, and financial markets.
Don’t miss our accompanying podcasts, available on our website and most podcast platforms: Apple | Spotify
Bi-Weekly Geopolitical Podcast – #26 “The Windsor Framework” (Posted 4/3/23)
Bi-Weekly Geopolitical Podcast – #18 “Europe’s New, Right-Wing Leaders” (Posted 10/10/22)
Weekly Geopolitical Report – Irish Border Revisited (April 26, 2021)
by Thomas Wash | PDF
It has been more than a year since the U.K. and European Union (EU) came to terms with the Withdrawal Agreement, yet questions remain on how it will impact Northern Ireland, which was granted an exception to remain in the EU. Having decisively voted 56% to 44% to remain a part of the EU during the Brexit referendum, it is unclear whether Northern Ireland allegiance lies with the U.K. or the EU.
The exception, which went into effect earlier this year, keeps the Northern Ireland economy in the EU to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This has angered pro-British Unionists who believe that the exception ostracizes Northern Ireland from the U.K. and draws it closer to Ireland. As a result, the Unionists have protested the decision and violence has erupted between competing factions in Northern Ireland. However, demographic trends have shown that the pro-British faction seems to be slowly dwindling, likely heightening concerns.
In this report, we will focus on the current relationship between Northern Ireland, the U.K., and the EU, and summarize the Good Friday Agreement. Next, we will discuss the impact of demographic changes on reunification efforts and what we expect to happen going forward. As usual, we will conclude with potential market ramifications.