The Bank of England, established in 1694, served as the central bank of the United Kingdom and played a crucial role in managing the nation’s monetary policy. Prior to 1997, the government held significant influence over the bank’s operations, often resulting in politically motivated decisions regarding interest rates and inflation control. This situation led to criticisms regarding the effectiveness and credibility of monetary policy, especially during times of economic instability. With the election of the Labour government under Prime Minister Tony Blair, an agenda of reform began to take shape, advocating for greater independence for the Bank of England. On May 6, 1997, the new government announced that the Bank of England would be granted operational independence, marking the first time in its 300-year history that it would be free from direct political influence in its monetary policy decisions. The move was aimed at enhancing the bank's credibility and transparency, with an emphasis on achieving a target inflation rate set by the government. The policy aimed not only to stabilize the economy but also to build public and market confidence in the monetary system. Market analysts and economists welcomed this change, believing that it would lead to more prudent management of interest rates and inflation. The new regime also included the creation of the Monetary Policy Committee, which would hold regular meetings to set interest rates based on economic data and trends, removing the need for short-term political considerations in these decisions.