Tory turmoil keeps Bank of England in the dark on tackling crisis

Policymakers can only wait and see how the next prime minister's tax and spend policies will affect the economy

Officials at the Bank of England will be watching the progress of the race to replace Boris Johnson as Tory leader and prime minister with rapt attention.

In normal times, central banks are supposed to pay little regard to the political gyrations that keep politicians occupied in Westminster's tea rooms and bars. These are not normal times. Inflation has hit 9.1% and Bank staff are under pressure to push up interest rates to squeeze the economy and with it the inflationary pressures driving prices higher.