The British pound fell to its lowest level in more than two years in early trade in Europe on Wednesday because of concerns over "Hard Brexit" and elections that might demand a higher risk premium for all sterling assets.
The Times of London reported that Boris Johnson, the favorite to win the current Conservative Party leadership contest and take over as Prime Minister, polls showed that the election would not give any party a clear majority. Johnson has pledged to bring Britain out of the European Union in October even if it means canceling a transitional agreement that will reduce the blow to the British economy.
The pound fell almost 1% on Tuesday against the dollar and resumed its decline on Wednesday at $ 1.2393, after falling below $ 1.24 for the first time since April 2017. Sterling was also lower against the euro, falling so far at 1, 1047, the lowest since September 2017, before bouncing to 1.1058.
"We expect GBP to fall further, even faster than here, with volatility rising like that," said Helen Thomas, CEO of consultant Blonde Money at Oxford.