July 16, 2013 – The Bank of England announced recently that from 2015 on Winston Churchill is to appear on the £5 banknote. Although mostly everybody would agree on the fact that Churchill is highly worth of that honour this decision has arisen an extremely hot debate because it means that the only woman on a banknote’s reverse (Elizabeth Fry), on the obverse obviously is the Queen, would disappear.
English author Jane Austen (1775-1817).
Former governor Sir Mervyn King said during his last days of service that he favours author Jane Austen to make the next woman on a banknote, maybe the £10 note. He thus makes pressure on his successor Mark Carney to take a decision on that behalf. Mary Macleod MP asked the new governor in a letter what his position is and Mr Carney declared to be completely sympathetic about the women’s request and will discuss the subject with his new collaborators on July 17.
Now the UK is expecting a decision – campaigners even said they would take the Bank of England to court for discrimination under the 2010 Equality Act.
Nobody can complain that the British are not interested in their money.
The Guardian published a dialogue whether Jane Austen would be the right choice …
Campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez declares why the expected decision of Mr Carney is so important.
On the website of the Bank of England you can read Mary Macleod’s letter …
… and the answer of Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England.
CoinsWeekly reported on the decision to dedicate the next £5 design to Sir Winston Churchill.