Is FT left-wing? The Financial Times' political stance explained

When people ask if the Financial Times, a global business newspaper founded in 1888, known for its economic reporting and centrist editorial voice. Also known as the FT, it's one of the few major news outlets that still prints a physical paper read by CEOs, policymakers, and investors worldwide. The short answer? No, it's not left-wing. But it’s not right-wing either. It’s something more precise: a center-left publication with a deep commitment to market economics and fiscal responsibility. That mix confuses people. If it supports free markets and global trade, how can it be called left-leaning? The answer lies in what it values — not just who it backs.

The Scott Trust, the nonprofit entity that owns the Guardian and protects its editorial independence isn’t involved with the FT — its ownership is completely different. The Financial Times is owned by Nikkei, a Japanese media conglomerate that bought the FT in 2015 to preserve its journalistic integrity. That’s why you won’t see it pushing party lines like The Guardian does for Labour. The FT doesn’t endorse candidates. It doesn’t take sides in culture wars. Instead, it measures policy by its impact on markets, productivity, and global competitiveness. That’s why it often supports centrist, technocratic leaders — whether they’re from Labour or the Conservatives. It’s not about ideology. It’s about outcomes.

Look at its coverage. It criticizes both left-wing policies that hurt business investment and right-wing policies that spike inequality or undermine public services. It ran headlines warning about Brexit’s economic damage — not because it wanted to stop Brexit, but because it saw the data. It praised Labour’s 2024 green investment plan not because it’s socialist, but because it’s economically smart. That’s why readers across the political spectrum trust it: it tells you what’s happening, not what they want you to believe. The FT doesn’t flatter its audience. It doesn’t scream. It doesn’t chase clicks. It’s the paper you read when you need to understand the real cost of a tax change, a trade deal, or a central bank decision.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a list of opinions. It’s a collection of facts, analyses, and comparisons that show how the FT fits into the bigger picture of UK and global media. You’ll see how it stacks up against the BBC, The Guardian, and even USA Today. You’ll learn who reads it, why it’s still printed on pink paper, and how its business model keeps it alive when so many newspapers have vanished. This isn’t about left or right. It’s about what journalism looks like when it’s built on data, not drama.