In a move that has sparked considerable backlash, the Bank of England has confirmed it will erase some of Britain’s greatest historical figures from the nation’s banknotes. The controversial decision, announced following a public consultation, means that images of Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, Alan Turing, and J.M.W. Turner will be stripped from the currency over the coming years. They are to be replaced by various forms of native wildlife, a shift the Bank defends on the grounds of improving security features.
The consultation, held in July 2025, saw the “nature” theme secure 60% of the vote from the 44,000 responses, narrowly edging out “architecture and landmarks” at 56%, while “notable historical figures” lagged behind in third place with just 38%. Bank Chief Cashier Victoria Cleland argued that nature provides a superior canvas for intricate anti-counterfeiting measures, suggesting dynamic images like flapping birds or running deer could be woven into the fabric of the new polymer notes. However, this technical justification has done little to quell the political firestorm, with critics dismissing the move as an exercise in sanitising national identity.
The decision represents the most significant break from tradition since historical figures first appeared on Bank notes in 1970, starting with William Shakespeare. It is a profound shift that prioritises fauna over the statesmen, writers, and thinkers who shaped the modern world. While King Charles III’s portrait will remain on the obverse, the reverse of the £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes will eventually be given over to a menagerie of British animals, plants, and landscapes. The Bank plans another consultation this summer to decide which specific creatures make the cut, aided by a panel of wildlife experts.
From a conservative perspective, this is not merely a design update; it is a misguided act of cultural erasure. It is deeply depressing to witness an institution like the Bank of England cave to a passing fad, sidelining the very giants of our island story. Winston Churchill, the bulldog spirit who defied the Nazi terror and led us through our darkest hour, is to be cast aside. To see him, and the literary genius of Jane Austen, the code-breaking heroism of Alan Turing, and the artistic brilliance of Turner, discarded in favour of what some might call a “woke” rebranding is an insult to the legacy they built. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former Business Secretary, put it best when he derided the “Bank of Wokeness” for wanting to ignore our history and heroes in favour of what he described as the unutterable banality seen on Euro notes. It shows a profound lack of confidence in our nation and a supine kowtowing to the gods of political correctness.
The political reaction has been fierce. Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Alex Burghart lambasted the Labour government for overseeing a situation where our national heroes are now deemed too “divisive” for our currency. He has vowed that a future Conservative government will reverse this decision and restore Churchill to his rightful place, arguing that most countries celebrate their history and Britain should do the same. Kevin Hollinrake, another Conservative voice, rightly pointed out that while diversity is important, it should be achieved by broadening the range of historical figures we honour, not by abandoning the concept altogether. The irony is that by trying to avoid being divisive, the Bank has ignited a national debate about whether our institutions are still proud of our past. This is not about security; it is about a metropolitan elite in Threadneedle Street deciding that our heritage is an embarrassment.
Adding a touch of unintended comedy to the affair, the RSPCA has waded in to demand that the “less loved” creatures like rats, seagulls, and urban foxes be considered for the new notes. While one might expect a conservation group to lobby for the noble red squirrel or the majestic golden eagle, their plea for the common rat truly captures the bizarre nature of this entire exercise. It perfectly encapsulates the danger of designing by public consultation: you end up with a lowest common denominator that reflects transient sentiment rather than enduring national values. It is the numbing blandness of a corporate logo applied to the very symbol of national sovereignty. The Bank of England would do well to remember that a country that forgets its heroes is a country that has forgotten itself.
