Britons have expressed their preferences for new Bank of England banknote designs, with wildlife emerging as the overwhelming favorite. A freedom of information request revealed that popular suggestions included Sir David Attenborough, Paddington Bear, and the 1966 World Cup victory, but nature-themed notes are set to replace historical figures like Winston Churchill.
Public Suggestions Revealed
The Press Association obtained data through a freedom of information request, showing themes proposed when the Bank sought design ideas. Among the top suggestions were guide dogs, Paddington Bear, and Sir David Attenborough, who will turn 100 in less than two weeks. The 1966 World Cup, marking a significant anniversary, also featured prominently.
Top Ten Themes
The public's top ten preferred themes included: wildlife, national parks, David Attenborough, Winston Churchill, UK values and identity, historical events, transport, science and technology, music, and bridges. Nature received 60% of votes, making it the clear winner.
Victoria Cleland, Bank of England chief cashier, stated: 'The key driver for introducing a new banknote series is always to increase counterfeit resilience but it also provides an opportunity to celebrate different aspects of the UK. Nature is a great choice from a banknote authentication perspective and means we can showcase the UK's rich and varied wildlife on the next series of banknotes.'
Historical Context
The current notes featuring Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing have been in circulation for nearly a decade. The Churchill £5 note, featuring Yousuf Karsh's 1941 portrait, was announced in 2013. Jane Austen has been on the £10 note since 2017, the Turner £20 note was introduced in 2020, and the Alan Turing £50 note in 2021.
Historical figures have adorned Bank of England notes since 1970, making the shift to wildlife a significant change. A second consultation this summer will determine which creatures appear on the upcoming series. However, the Bank has clarified: 'The Bank will not include household pets as part of the theme,' ruling out Paddington Bear.
Reactions to the Change
The announcement that historical figures would be dropped sparked criticism. Reform leader Nigel Farage called it the 'definition of woke,' while Conservative Kemi Badenoch suggested it was 'erasing our history.' Despite this, the public's top choice aligns with nature, indicating broad support for the new direction.
Other quirky suggestions included food (11th place), TV characters (17th place), and the Sycamore Gap tree (18th place). The Bank's decision to focus on wildlife aims to enhance counterfeit resilience while celebrating the UK's natural heritage.
