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

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)

😹

I love the idea of celebrating Britain’s wonderful wildlife on banknotes.
And I don’t think there is any attempt to stop celebrating the historical significance of Churchill or Austen.

It's good that wildlife will feature on banknotes but the reasons behind the change are not.

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

One of our GC is off to senior school this September, and their house is named after one of those in your post Maw , so hopefully not all is lost regarding UK history…

I really don’t mind the change. Why not celebrate all the beauty of Britain. At least at the moment we still have banknotes.

Normal practice to change the notes from time to time. Nothing sinister in that.

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!

The 'diversity' of existence.
Humans last time, now giving other creatures a feature.
Why is that a problem?

Mamie

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

Yes I was aware.

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