Churchill to be axed from British banknotes in the name of diversity.

I guess if some of the sources of reporting (which I have researched without any surprises) are entirely focussed on the shock horror of cultural diversity, then understanding the factual basis of the decision becomes even more important.

TBH I’d have thought this was a tabloid headline, aimed at stirring up discord, rather than any post title I’d see on Gransnet.

Luckygirl3

Titling a post with the issue of diversity only is just stirring up discord unnecessarily - in reality a survey was done and wildlife came out on top. That is fine.

Do you mean a thread?
It’s harsh and I think unjustified to accuse Sago of that

Where did that headline come from? It is designed, in my view, to try to be provocative . Better to ignore it and carry on.
I can honestly say that I never give thought to what or who is portrayed on any bank notes. I just spend them 🤣.

Luckygirl3

Titling a post with the issue of diversity only is just stirring up discord unnecessarily - in reality a survey was done and wildlife came out on top. That is fine.

Spot on

I'm obviously doing life wrong, I couldn't careless who or what is on banknotes as long as shops accept them.

theworriedwell

Does anyone spend time admiring Churchill on a banknote?

All day long 🙄🙄

Visgir1

I think it's nice to have a change.

They are not being taken out of History just changing the Bank notes.
Churchill first appeared on Bank notes 2016, he replaced Elizabeth Fry. Ten years time if there is still Bank notes sure they will change.

I Can't see it's a big deal?

I wonder if there was outrage about a woman being pushed out by a man. I can't remember any.

Does anyone spend time admiring Churchill on a banknote?

I applaud the decision to celebrate wildlife on bank notes - it's about time wildlife was given a bit of attention.

I think it's nice to have a change.

They are not being taken out of History just changing the Bank notes.
Churchill first appeared on Bank notes 2016, he replaced Elizabeth Fry. Ten years time if there is still Bank notes sure they will change.

I Can't see it's a big deal?

Luckygirl3

Titling a post with the issue of diversity only is just stirring up discord unnecessarily - in reality a survey was done and wildlife came out on top. That is fine.

🫶🫶 👏👏👏👏👏👏

Chocolatelovinggran

Mr Churchill will continue to be studied in school in history. Ms Austen will still be studied in school in literature.
Anyone may buy, or borrow, books featuring either of these, and discuss with others, their importance.
Features on banknotes change.
I cannot see where the problem lies.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I will add that I haven't read anything by Jane Austen since my O levels, nearly sixty years ago. I do not like her writing at all

I don’t much care for Jane Austen, but I do like the Brontes.

It’s great to have choice, celebrate diversity, embrace differences.

It truly isn’t things like removing British figures from our banknotes that cause people to support Reform, it’s the twist some perpetuate around events such as this, using them in an attempt to be divisive, which causes people to look to Reform!

This simply has to stop, it’s so disturbing and dishonest!

Mamie

Just to clarify; the currency will no longer feature people, but will celebrate British wildlife.
Hope this helps.

Well that’s completely different!

I don’t think ANYONE from history, whatever anyone feels , should be “deleted” or “erased”.

Events happens, people existed, good and bad. We learn from history, learn good and bad, learn from mistakes and not to repeat them, learn from success and positives and build on them.

Mr Churchill will continue to be studied in school in history. Ms Austen will still be studied in school in literature.
Anyone may buy, or borrow, books featuring either of these, and discuss with others, their importance.
Features on banknotes change.
I cannot see where the problem lies.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I will add that I haven't read anything by Jane Austen since my O levels, nearly sixty years ago. I do not like her writing at all

I'm of the opinion the old bank notes offended no one except those with an agenda to see them as not appropriate.
Let's face it, who looks at bank notes and thinks " Churchill. OMG. Why is his face on my note? "

What's even more surprising is that there's a committee somewhere being paid to find fault and erase from every day life figures such as Austen, Churchill, etc.

Not for one second have I found the figures on the bank notes 'contentious', nor should they be offensive to anyone using them. Why on earth would they be?

Really?
Let's make us a faceless country. Give it a few years until the names of wild flowers or birds become "inappropriate" or offensive in some way.

The change will of course be excused as a
'fraud problem'.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Titling a post with the issue of diversity only is just stirring up discord unnecessarily - in reality a survey was done and wildlife came out on top. That is fine.

Many of our historical figures are interesting, but this does not mean they have to appear on our bank notes - they have all had their turn and it is time for a change now.

I do not think it is nonsense to move on and have a different focus from time to time and the idea of wildlife is very appealing and could be very beautiful.

If the BofE just went ahead and put whatever they wanted on bank notes they would be criticised - if they do their research and sample the views of the population then they are wrong too - can't win!

The research showed that people were ready for a change and that is what the BofE has done. I have no problem with that.

To be fair, I quite like the architectural designs - classical, gothic etc - on my euro banknotes. I think there's some mythological figure lurking down the silver security strip somewhere.

Not too bothered about British banknotes as I hardly ever use cash in the UK, not that that's the point here.
Wildlife will sort of do.

There is a public vote of the wildlife to be featured, I’ve made my selection.

Today 07:55 GrannyGravy13

MawsRosie
And no more will we be able to make John McEnroe ‘s face appear. (The late Queen and Dickens IYKYK)

Nor have we been able to see the Queens bottom on the latest notes. Another IYKYK.

Pointless virtue signalling.

MawsRosie

Sago

Mamie

Just to clarify; the currency will no longer feature people, but will celebrate British wildlife.
Hope this helps.

Yes I was aware.

The spurious reasons given are however what make me despair (with or without help)

Research commissioned by the Bank concluded that figures such as Churchill, Alan Turing and Jane Austen were “contentious and not representative of the UK’s cultural and natural diversity. ”.

Officials were advised to replace ­portraits with images of nature on banknotes because historical figures represented “a backward-looking vision of the United Kingdom that ­carries too great a risk of division and controversy

I ask you!

Everything I have read is that the change is partly to do with the need to eliminate fraud.
This from The Independent explains how wildlife was chosen as the theme.
"The decision follows a public consultation where the UK wildlife theme garnered the highest proportion of nominations, securing 60 per cent of votes.
Architecture and landmarks closely followed with 56 per cent, ahead of notable historical figures (38 per cent), arts, culture and sport (30 per cent), innovation (23 per cent), and noteworthy milestones (19 per cent). Over 44,000 responses were received, encompassing online surveys, emails, and designs submitted by schools and the wider public.".

MawsRosie

And no more will we be able to make John McEnroe ‘s face appear. (The late Queen and Dickens IYKYK)

😹