What's worth more: Churchill or a woke badger? Welcome to Britain's banknote culture war | Jonn Elledge
The Bank of England is set to replace historic figures such as Winston Churchill with images of British wildlife on its next banknote update. The move, based on a public consultation, has sparked controversy from political leaders and cultural commentators who fear it erases national heritage. Whil…
The Bank of England is preparing to launch a new series of banknotes that will replace the portraits of historic figures with images of iconic British wildlife. The change, announced last month, will see the familiar faces of Winston Churchill, Sir Winston Churchill, and other national icons removed from the front of the notes in favour of animals such as the badger, the red squirrel and the barn owl.
How the Decision Came About
In a consultation held in July, the Bank received 44,000 responses from the public. Sixty per cent of those respondents favoured a nature theme, placing it ahead of architecture and landmarks, which received 56 per cent, and historic figures, which only garnered 38 per cent. The Bank’s guidelines state that any new design must be non‑divisive, resonate with the public, and be difficult to counterfeit. A panel of experts will shortlist wildlife candidates, after which the public will vote. The Bank’s governor will have the final say to ensure the design meets all regulatory requirements.
Public and Political Reactions
The announcement has ignited a firestorm of criticism from a range of political figures. Nigel Farage posted a video on X in which he described the move as a “definition of woke” and accused the Bank of erasing Churchill’s legacy. Tom Tugendhat, a former army officer and current Member of Parliament, wrote in the Telegraph that the Bank’s decision reflected a lack of tough choices and a preference for bland neutrality. In the Spectator, financial commentator Matthew Lynn called the end of the tradition of honouring Britain’s greatest figures a travesty.
Not all critics are on the right side of the debate. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said Churchill “deserves better than being replaced by a badger.” Even the BBC noted that the Bank’s bosses may feel less pressure to face backlash when choosing wildlife over historical figures. The Bank’s own guidelines explicitly state that the theme should not involve imagery that would be reasonably offensive or exclude any groups.
Context: A Long History of Changing Banknote Themes
Banknotes in the UK have long reflected the country’s history and values. The first Bank of England note to feature a monarch was issued in 1960, with Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait. Prior to that, the Bank printed notes with King George V from 1914. The move to wildlife is not unprecedented; the International Bank Note Society awarded the Bermuda $5 note, featuring King Charles III and a blue marlin, to the Banknote of the Year in 2024. In the UK, the Royal Bank of Scotland issues notes with images of mackerel, otters and red squirrels, though these notes are not legal tender across the entire country.
Why the Debate Matters
Symbols on banknotes carry cultural weight. For many, Churchill’s portrait represents resilience and national pride. For others, the move is an opportunity to reflect Britain’s diverse heritage and natural heritage. Critics argue that replacing historic figures with wildlife ignores the need for representation of minority Britons on currency. Social justice campaigner Prof Patrick Vernon said the decision would be “deeply disappointing” to those who have campaigned for figures such as Mary Seacole to appear on notes.
The Bank’s decision also reflects wider global debates about currency imagery. In the United States, the Treasury has long considered replacing Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill with Harriet Tubman, but the project has stalled amid concerns about divisiveness and public opinion. The Bank’s choice to avoid potentially controversial figures may be a strategic move to keep the currency stable and avoid political backlash.
What Happens Next?
The Bank of England will publish a shortlist of wildlife candidates in the coming weeks. The public will then vote, and the governor will make the final decision. The new banknotes are expected to enter circulation in 2028, following a phased rollout. Until then, the Bank will continue to issue notes with historic figures and the current monarch, Charles III.
As the debate continues, the Bank remains committed to its mandate of maintaining public confidence in the currency while navigating the complex cultural landscape of modern Britain.
Why it matters
The choice of imagery on banknotes reflects national identity and values; changing it can influence public sentiment and cultural memory.
Key points
- Bank of England to replace historic figures with wildlife on new banknotes
- Public consultation favoured nature theme over historic figures
- Political leaders and commentators have criticised the move as erasing heritage
- The Bank aims to avoid divisive imagery and ensure designs are hard to counterfeit
- The change mirrors global debates over currency representation
- The new banknotes are expected to roll out in 2028
Frequently asked questions
When will the new banknotes be available?
The Bank of England plans to roll out the new banknotes in 2028, following a phased introduction.
Will the monarch still appear on the notes?
Yes, the current monarch, Charles III, will continue to appear on the banknotes.
How were the wildlife candidates chosen?
A panel of experts will shortlist wildlife candidates based on public input and the Bank’s guidelines.
