Britain's finance sector at odds over Brexit lobbying

London

LARGE banks in Britain have clashed with other parts of the financial sector about who should be leading efforts to lobby the government over Brexit.

Failing to present a united front could be damaging as the industry, Britain's largest export sector and biggest source of tax revenue, fights to retain access to Europe's single market.

There is growing speculation that the sector, which includes retail banks, asset managers, insurers and investment banks, will lose rights as the British government negotiates its exit from the European Union.

Ten of the biggest banks based in London told Reuters they are concerned that conflicting industry voices and a burgeoning of lobby groups will dilute government discussions. "To the extent it looks disjointed, there is a degree of inevi…