In March 2026, the Bank of England announced that it would remove Winston Churchill, along with other notable historical figures like Jane Austen and Alan Turing, from banknotes. These figures will be replaced by representations of British wildlife, with plans to substitute Churchill with a hedgehog. Churchill has recently become a controversial figure due to his defense of the British Empire and his strong support for notions of British superiority. 

Regardless of differing opinions about Churchill, it can be seen as disrespectful to replace a leader who played a crucial role in saving England from invasion during World War I—with a hedgehog. This decision also reflects a lack of respect for the country’s history and culture, as well as for those who fought to defend it.