Sterling Correction Continues

Johnson Lights Leadership Fire

Boris Johnson, The U.K. Foreign Secretary, produced a three thousand word “blueprint” for his Brexit vision over the weekend which was not only at odds with Government policy but drew stinging responses from fellow Ministers and NGO’s.

Verbal support for Johnson’s missive was scant but there is little doubt that his words resonated with the “Hard Brexit” wing of the Party. He called for any payments to the EU to cease immediately upon the U.K.’s departure and also revisited the “leavers’” mantra that the funds saved should be used to bolster financing for the NHS.

It is significant that the Leadership has already confirmed that Johnson won’t be sacked for his insubordination which adds to the significance of his support.

Johnson’s ministerial colleagues, in particular Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, were scathing in their criticism of his words calling him a “back seat driver” undermining the Prime Minister who is “driving the Brexit car”.

There can be little doubt that this is the first salvo in a leadership campaign that will be fractious when it happens and could easily lead to a General Election. The opposition Labour Party is ahead in the polls which predict another hung Parliament

The reaction of Sterling has so far been muted as it continues its recent correction.

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MPC Member Vlieghe turns Hawkish

Gertjan Vlieghe, by far the most dovish member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, spoke out on Friday in favour of tighter monetary policy should the economy continue to perform on its current path. Abandoning concerns over the headwinds facing the economy, Vlieghe commented that “The evolution of the data is increasingly suggesting that we are approaching the moment when the bank rate may need to raise”. He went on to say that the hike in rates could be as soon as in the coming months.

Bets on a hike in November have increased considerably although a hike is dependent upon higher domestically derived inflation brought about by stronger wages data and continued rises in consumption.
Sterling reacted very positively to Vlieghe’s comments reaching 1.3617 and 0.8742. It has barely corrected from those levels. Versus the single currency, the ease with which it broke very strong resistance at 0.8820 shows the strength of the correction.

There remain very strong headwinds to the pounds continued progress. Primarily these are political in nature but the economic future is far from certain. It won’t be until the first cut of the Q3 GDP is released in November that the true effect of the fall in business investment will become clear.

May to Provide Brexit clarity in Florence

British Prime Minister Theresa May will use a speech she is making in Florence, Italy on Friday to provide significant guidance on the progress of Brexit talks and clarify the U.K.’s position on a number of key matters. It seems that the two sides are close to agreement on the treatment of EU citizens remaining in the U.K. after Brexit but the thorny subject of the “divorce payment” remains. The fact that this speech and its likely content were first announced by Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s Chief Negotiator could be significant in that its content has possibly been agreed in advance with the EU side.

Given the depth of the chasm between advocates of a soft Brexit versus supporters of a tough stance, no matter what Mrs May says she will be damned by one side or the other.

One thing is clear and that is that the next round of negotiations, which start next Monday, having been delayed for a week to allow for “consultations”, need to show significant progress if the whole Brexit issue isn’t to collapse into further chaos.

Despite the Bank of England’s more hawkish stance, Brexit is still the most significant issue facing the economy.

This week’s events of note

The corrections for the Euro and Sterling likely to continue. Theresa May slated to make a “major policy speech” on Brexit on 21st.