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“I don’t want to bind … (long pause) … the Bank of England two years’ hence.”

I’d bet my lunch money that he hit the pause button because he was about to use the time-honored phrase “I don’t want to bind my successor.” Which in turn suggests he expects to have a successor within two years.

Carney was at pains to stress that should he leave it will be an “entirely personal decision.” But, to my ears at least, he sounds distinctly like he is preparing the ground for a departure while trying to minimize the potential aftershocks:

“Like everyone, I have personal circumstances which I have to manage. This is a role that requires total attention, devotion and I intend to give it for as long as I can. No-one should read anything into that decision about government policy.”

It’s not just personal considerations about where Carney wants his kids to go to school that will influence his choice. Nor will it be a simple desire to get away from the backseat drivers and sniping from the sidelines. Take a look at the chart below and ask yourself why any central banker would want to preside over an economy with Britain’s post-Brexit characteristics:

The day after the Brexit vote, Carney held an emergency televised press conference, pledging an extra 250 billion pounds (US$305 billion) of financial support for the financial system. David Cameron had already resigned as prime minister; there was a risk of Britain being leaderless for months, and the pound was already in a free-fall.

Looking statesmanlike — presidential, even, — Carney sought to reassure traders and investors that the central bank had done its homework and stood ready to intervene to ensure financial stability. For the rest of the day, the pound held steady.