The Bank of England has confirmed that Sir Winston Churchill will be removed from banknotes and replaced with images of wildlife, marking a significant shift in the design of British currency.
The central bank announced it will soon ask the public which animals they want to appear on the next set of £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes. The wartime Prime Minister, who has appeared on British currency for decades, will not be retained in the redesign.
A panel of wildlife experts convened by the bank will help select which English species will appear on the next series of notes. The public consultation period is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics have denounced the decision as an erasure of British history and a dismissal of one of the nation's most significant wartime leaders. Churchill's leadership during World War II is widely regarded as pivotal in resisting Nazi Germany, and his removal from currency represents a break with national tradition, opponents say.
Some Conservative MPs have called for the government to intervene in the Bank of England's independent decision, arguing that Churchill's place on banknotes is a matter of national identity rather than central bank discretion. The decision has drawn comparisons to other controversies over historical monuments and public commemorations.
Commentators on the right have also questioned whether wildlife is an appropriate replacement for figures who shaped British history, arguing that the move sends a message that historical leadership is no longer valued. Several conservative media outlets have framed the decision as part of a broader cultural shift away from celebrating national heroes.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive voices have welcomed the move as a long-overdue shift toward celebrating Britain's natural heritage rather than historical political figures. The decision to replace Churchill with wildlife reflects a broader conversation about whose legacy deserves permanent representation on national currency, supporters say.
Celebrity bird-watcher Nadeem Perera, who sits on the bank's panel of wildlife experts, described the change as significant and overdue. Perera has advocated for greater representation of British wildlife in public spaces and sees the banknote redesign as an opportunity to connect citizens with their natural environment.
Others on the left have argued that Churchill's removal from currency reflects a broader reexamination of British history, including his complicated legacy on issues like colonialism and civil rights. The move aligns with efforts in museums, universities, and public institutions to reassess how historical figures are commemorated.
What the Numbers Show
The Bank of England manages approximately £90 billion in circulation across all banknote denominations. The current series features Churchill on the £5 note, Jane Austen on the £10 note, J.M.W. Turner on the £20 note, and Alan Turing on the £50 note.
The wildlife panel includes experts from conservation organizations including the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts. British conservation efforts receive annual government funding of approximately £700 million through various environmental programs.
Public consultation on banknote design has historically attracted significant engagement, with previous redesigns receiving tens of thousands of responses from citizens. The decision to shift to wildlife imagery follows similar moves by other central banks, including Canada's transition to more inclusive banknote designs.
The Bank of England has noted that wildlife imagery on currency is not unprecedented globally, with countries including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada incorporating native species into their banknote designs.
The Bottom Line
The decision to remove Churchill from British banknotes represents a significant departure from the tradition of featuring historical political leaders on currency. The Bank of England, which operates independently from government, has framed the change as reflecting contemporary values around environmental awareness and national identity.
The public consultation on animal selection is expected to draw substantial participation, with conservation groups likely to advocate for endangered or iconic British species. The redesign process will take several years, with new notes not expected to enter circulation until at least 2028.
The controversy surrounding Churchill's removal highlights ongoing debates about how nations choose to commemorate historical figures. The Bank of England's decision reflects a broader trend toward reassessing whose legacy warrants permanent representation in public institutions, a conversation that extends beyond Britain to other countries reconsidering monuments and commemorative symbols.