The effigy of Winston Churchill on the United Kingdom’s five pound notes will give way to images of local flora and fauna, the Bank of England has announced, a plan denounced by MPs.
The former British Prime Minister is not the only one concerned: the novelist Jane Austen, the painter William Turner and the mathematician Alan Turing will also gradually disappear from 10, 20 and 50 pound notes.
These historical figures will be replaced by scenes from nature, as decided by a majority of British people during a consultation organized last year by the Bank of England.
A second consultation must be held this summer in order to choose the local fauna and flora which will be in the spotlight, the institution said in a press release on Wednesday. A list will be submitted to the public and could include badgers, otters, frogs or owls among the animals proposed.
Enough to arouse the ire of several deputies.
Biodiversity highlighted
“Winston Churchill helped defeat fascism in Europe. He deserves better than to be replaced by a badger,” Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, wrote on the social network
The Tories were also moved by the affair. “Winston Churchill is a hero (…) He must not be replaced by an otter,” the opposition party is indignant on its X account, calling for “fighting for him.”
For its part, the Bank of England explains that, for more than 50 years, it has honored personalities who have marked history, but that this new orientation will make it possible to celebrate another important aspect of the country: biodiversity.
According to Victoria Cleland, head of the ticket issuing division, this redesign also meets a security imperative to combat counterfeiting, with nature images lending themselves better to authentication devices.
The new banknotes will not be put into circulation for several years. And they will continue to display the portrait of King Charles III, while those with the image of Queen Elizabeth II will remain valid.
