Politicians know that bank regulation is too tough but are trapped by public opinion into crowd-pleasing attacks on the industry, the head of Britain’s banking lobby claimed this weekend. Anthony Browne, chief executive of the British Bankers’ Association, told Financial Mail: ‘Politicians want to restore confidence and trust in the banking system and all mainstream politicians want London to thrive as a financial centre. But they are acutely aware of public opinion.’ He added: ‘A lot of them admit to me behind closed doors that there is an element of over-regulation. It’s an easy way for them to get applause on Question Time.’The comments come as the banking industry digests the latest broadside from MPs – a report from the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards that called for the Government to toughen up its planned clampdown....Read more here: Politicians trapped by public opinion into into crowd-pleasing attacks on banks, says BBA head