FTSE 100 LIVE: London Stocks, Pound Rise as Greens Defeat Keir Starmer in Gorton and Denton Byelection

The FTSE 100 rallied on Friday as London stocks and the pound sterling rose following a surprising by-election result that shook UK politics. Investors reacted positively to news that the Green Party secured a victory in the Gorton and Denton byelection, historically a Labour stronghold. The unexpected outcome had the potential to unsettle markets, yet the FTSE 100 managed to climb, supported by strong performance in key sectors and a resilient consumer confidence outlook in the UK.