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All my adult life I have seen British governments driven off their virtuous pursuit of low inflation by market problems or political pressures. I was under no illusions when I took Britain into the ERM. I said at the time that membership was no soft option. The soft option, the devaluer's option, the inflationary option, that would in my opinion be a betrayal of Britain's future.

John Major#5

PoliticsEconomicsEconomyInflationPolicy

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author argues that maintaining low inflation requires resisting market or political pressures to devalue currency.
In plain terms
Keeping inflation low is hard but necessary for the country's future.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize long-term economic stability over short-term political gains.

Where it applies

  • economic policy decisions
  • political debates

Putting it to work

  • monetary policy
  • fiscal discipline

Questions to consider

  • Is low inflation worth short-term pain?
  • Who should decide economic priorities?

Another view

Economic rigidity can worsen short-term crises.

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