CITY VIEWS: WILL THE ELECTION MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO THE ECONOMY ?
LIAM HOURIGAN | TELSTRA
“In the short term I think the election will make a difference. Traditionally the Tories are good for the market, although I am not sure whether they can turn it around this time as they are so similar to Labour. Long term, the budget deficit is the issue. ”
JAMES SUTTON | JP MORGAN
“The election will have minimal impact on the economy. I have not made up my mind whether inflating the economy or making cuts is the best way out of this mess. Business leaders support the Conservatives, hence the letter to the Telegraph last week. ”
JOHN WILLIAMS | HERBERT SMITH
“I don’t think it makes a difference who gets elected given the scale of the government deficit. Whoever gets into power will have to take a tough course of action. The parties will make some promises on public services that they won’t be able to keep once elected. ”
DAVID EFRON | ONYX
“The economy will jump around for a couple of days after the general election and then go back to the way it was. There is only a limited amount the government can do with policy in order to solve the economy. Politicians are not on the share trading floors. ”
TOM GEORGESON | WESTERN UNION
“The election is going to make a huge difference. If there is a hung parliament or Labour cling onto power then the pound will suffer a downturn. Brokers and traders are hoping the Conservatives get in as risk is then likely to return to the market ”