Save Our Heroes on Our Banknotes

To: Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, and the Bank of England's Court of Directors

We, the undersigned, call upon the Bank of England to reverse its decision to remove some of Britain's greatest historical figures from our banknotes and replace them with images of wildlife.

Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing are not simply faces on our currency. They represent the courage, brilliance, creativity and extraordinary achievements that have helped shape our nation and changed the world.

Churchill helped lead Britain to victory over Nazi Germany. Alan Turing played a vital role in breaking enemy codes during the Second World War. Jane Austen gave the world some of its most celebrated literature, while JMW Turner transformed British art.

These are national heroes whose achievements deserve to be remembered, celebrated and passed down to future generations, not removed from our everyday lives.

We have nothing against Britain's wonderful wildlife. Bumblebees, puffins, owls and hedgehogs all deserve recognition. But why should celebrating our natural heritage mean removing the people who helped make Britain great?

We can celebrate British wildlife WITHOUT erasing British history.

We are also deeply concerned about the Bank of England's public consultation process.

Hundreds of thousands of people were invited to express their preferences for wildlife imagery, but the later consultation offered a choice of animals rather than a clear opportunity to vote against removing our historical figures.

Choosing a favourite animal is NOT the same as voting to remove Winston Churchill.

The British public deserve a meaningful say in such an important decision about our national identity and heritage.

Our banknotes should be a source of national pride, reminding us of the remarkable people whose achievements have shaped our country's history.

Britain should never be ashamed of its past, nor should the accomplishments of its greatest figures be discarded simply because some consider them controversial.

Our history belongs to the British people. It is not an inconvenience to be quietly erased.

We call upon Governor Andrew Bailey and the Bank of England to listen to the public, reconsider this decision and retain Britain's historical heroes on our currency.

SIGN THE PETITION — SAVE OUR HEROES! OUR HISTORY IS WORTH MORE THAN MONEY.

Campaign organised by the Great British PAC.

Did you try to object during the Bank of England's consultation but find there was no clear opportunity to oppose removing historical figures? We want to hear from you. Email: Info@GreatBritishPAC.com