Only Optimism Will Triumph Over Brexit Blues

In a week when the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has reported a June downturn in the UK housing market, HBPW Partner, Jon Livesey, says it is vital that the business and engineering sectors, as well as the wider population, stay firmly in the ‘now’ rather than the ‘might have been’.

“Whether we like it or not Brexit vote day has been and gone and delivered a verdict. Before long the new Prime Minister, Theresa May, has indicated that Article 50, signalling the UK’s countdown to exit from the European Union, will be actioned.

“Bearing that in mind there is little to gain from living in the pre-Brexit world or trying to change the democratic outcome, whatever your political persuasion.

In reality little has changed since that momentous vote. There have been some swings in currency and share valuations but, in practical terms, the sun still rises and HBPW is as busy as it ever was just a month ago!”
Mr Livesey said that talking the country down by dwelling on something that could not be changed was unproductive.

“Several politicians have commented that there is a danger of the UK talking itself into a recession and I totally agree with that.

“If people start to hold off on house purchases, for example, in the misguided belief that prices are about to plummet, then we will have a re-run of the situation when businesses held on to cash receipts, bringing the economy to a shuddering halt.

Jon Livesey

“Normality and optimism are key to success and it is imperative that we all stay focussed on the future. Brexit is firmly on the horizon so let’s look forward and figure out how we are going to endure the road ahead rather than dwelling on the past with rose coloured spectacles!”

The recent RICS UK Residential Market Survey for June 2016 indicated uncertainty fuelled by the EU referendum had resulted in a marked drop in activity in the housing market.