Carney reveals himself as dove as Bank hold rates "This is pretty aggressive stuff that has prompted a sharp move lower in sterling and suggests that Carney is very much in the dovish camp," added James Knightley at ING Financial Markets. The statement also painted a hesitantly upbeat picture of the economy, claiming "that a recovery is in train, although it remains weak by historical standards and a degree of slack is expected to persist for some time." Mr Carney's intervention appeared to be a response to fears that the market was getting ahead of itself. Economists claimed it was also an early demonstration of Mr Carney's much-heralded "communication" policy, by disabusing traders of thoughts that the Bank is about to end QE or raise rates in the face of an improving economic outlook. "The fact that the MPC has decided to express such a clear view about market rates is also a sign of a more aggressive stance in terms of communication," Jens Larsen, chief European economist at RBC Capital Markets said. The MPC drew attention to the Chancellor's request that it examine alternative strategies in time for next month's decision, again dropping a strong hint that there may be a radical shift in policy in August - potentially opening the door to more QE. The statement said: "The latest remit letter to the MPC from the Chancellor had requested that the Committee provide an assessment of the case for adopting some form of forward guidance, including the possible use of intermediate thresholds. Mr Carney famously used "forward guidance" as Bank of Canada Governor in 2009, when he pledged to keep rates on hold for a year. Economists are expectiong a variation of the strategy in the UK, with an unemployment or growth target likely to be used as a "conditional" trigger to end the policy. By changing the terms of the debate, Mr Carney could also succesfully argue for more QE even though six members of the committee are currently voting to leave QE unchanged. Annalisa Piazza of Newedge Strategy said: "Today's statement clearly leaves the door open to further accommodation.