Jane Austen 'waiting in wings' to feature on UK banknotes

[CountDeMoney]

Oh and do me a favour, when Boris becomes our next PM, please don't lecture me on the genius of the man. 

Boris is awesome.

[mongers]

Oh and do me a favour, when Boris becomes our next PM, please don't lecture me on the genius of the man. 

Boris is awesome.

I was within 20 feet of him this weekend, listening to him speak, not that impressive, charming, funny, but overall he's a chancer.

But given Cameron's performance, I'd not be surprised to see Boris as the next Tory leader/PM.

[CountDeMoney]

Here's a clue, 'we' choose who goes on our banknotes not you guys, some American do seem to have an idolised image of Churchill, like he's Washington's heir or something.

Just wait until we start a letter-writing campaign in West Midlands as to why they should vote Tory.

[mongers]

Here's a clue, 'we' choose who goes on our banknotes not you guys, some American do seem to have an idolised image of Churchill, like he's Washington's heir or something.

Just wait until we start a letter-writing campaign in West Midlands as to why they should vote Tory.

But seriously, please do; it could be as effective as the Grandiane campaign. 

[Josquius]

I have no problem with Austen on the notes.
Churchill on the other hand...
It's just ridiculous, one of the criteria should be that the person is uncontroversial (suck it creationists) but what can be more controvercial than a racist, xenophobic, mass-murderer?
I'm surprised there isn't more of a campaign to stop it, you'd think the Asian community at the least would be aghast.

[CountDeMoney]

It's just ridiculous, one of the criteria should be that the person is uncontroversial (suck it creationists) but what can be more controvercial than a racist, xenophobic, imperialist, mass-murderer?

Stay golden, Ponyboy.  Stay golden.

[Razgovory]

Who would be a better choice that hasn't ruled the country?

Florence Nightingale.

She was on them quite recently.

I think Austen's a great choice, certainly better than Churchill.

You cannot be serious. Other than Atlee, there is no figure in 20th century Britain who holds a candle to Churchill.

Here's a clue, 'we' choose who goes on our banknotes not you guys, some American do seem to have an idolised image of Churchill, like he's Washington's heir or something.

Oh and do me a favour, when Boris becomes our next PM, please don't lecture me on the genius of the man. 

I don't get the Churchill idolization in this country.

[Valmy]

Wow.  How ungracious.

I don't think the people on a banknote should be within living memory. Also it'll help us avoid the John Lennon £20.

Ah.  Well you did not say why Churchill was a poor choice

[mongers]

Who would be a better choice that hasn't ruled the country?

Florence Nightingale.

She was on them quite recently.

I think Austen's a great choice, certainly better than Churchill.

You cannot be serious. Other than Atlee, there is no figure in 20th century Britain who holds a candle to Churchill.

Here's a clue, 'we' choose who goes on our banknotes not you guys, some American do seem to have an idolised image of Churchill, like he's Washington's heir or something.

Oh and do me a favour, when Boris becomes our next PM, please don't lecture me on the genius of the man. 

I don't get the Churchill idolization in this country.

Yeah, I'm not being anti-Churchill just for the sake of it, but such a major historical figure deserves a more nuanced legacy/profile rather than mythology. 

Though I doubt many on this forum have an hagiographic view of him, but I think some kinds of transatlanticists of the John McCain ilk do.

[Eddie Teach]

I don't get the Churchill idolization in this country.

He hated Hitler and Stalin, what's not to love?

[jimmy olsen]

It's just ridiculous, one of the criteria should be that the person is uncontroversial (suck it creationists) but what can be more controvercial than a racist, xenophobic, imperialist, mass-murderer?

That disqualifies just about all Prime Ministers from before 1960, it's an absurd standard.

[CountDeMoney]

Yeah, I'm not being anti-Churchill just for the sake of it, but such a major historical figure deserves a more nuanced legacy/profile rather than mythology. 

Though I doubt many on this forum have an hagiographic view of him, but I think some kinds of transatlanticists of the John McCain ilk do.

Sure, he drank like a fish, had a disassociated relationship with his parents in childhood, yadda, yadda, yadda.  But fuck man, he helped win the war.

[Eddie Teach]

It's just ridiculous, one of the criteria should be that the person is uncontroversial (suck it creationists) but what can be more controvercial than a racist, xenophobic, imperialist, mass-murderer?

That disqualifies just about all Prime Ministers from before 1960, it's an absurd standard.

Not to mention Queen Elizabeth's shameful treatment of hispanic immigrants.

[HVC]

Wow.  How ungracious.

I don't think the people on a banknote should be within living memory. Also it'll help us avoid the John Lennon £20.

[mongers]

Yeah, I'm not being anti-Churchill just for the sake of it, but such a major historical figure deserves a more nuanced legacy/profile rather than mythology. 

Though I doubt many on this forum have an hagiographic view of him, but I think some kinds of transatlanticists of the John McCain ilk do.

Sure, he drank like a fish, had a disassociated relationship with his parents in childhood, yadda, yadda, yadda.  But fuck man, he helped win the war.

I don't mean personal trivia, but policy on India and the end of Empire, but perhaps that can mostly be excused since he was at heart a Victorian. 

No quibbles about his leadership during the early war, indeed he insured it continued and went on to become a World War, rather than a disjointed series of great power wars.