Britons overwhelmingly reject Bank of England plan to replace Winston Churchill with wildlife, poll reveals

Backing for Churchill to remain on the note crosses party lines, with supporters of all major political parties preferring to keep the Second World War leader on our cash.

The sole exception was Green Party voters who favoured the wildlife alternative, among the surveyed 1,527 people on the proposed changes.

Opposition to the change also spans every age demographic, according to the findings, with respondents old and young showing distain for his removal.

These findings stand in stark contrast to the Bank of England's own consultation conducted last year, which surveyed 44,000 people and found 60 per cent supported featuring nature on banknotes.

That same consultation showed 56 per cent backed landmarks appearing on notes, whilst only 38 per cent expressed satisfaction with historical figures.

The central bank has defended its proposed redesign by arguing wildlife imagery would enhance security measures, making the notes more difficult to forge.

A follow-up consultation is scheduled for the summer to determine which specific natural subjects should appear on the redesigned currency.

Options under consideration range from plants and landscapes to various animal species.

Beyond the Churchill question, the poll uncovered broader concerns about the direction of the proposed changes.

A majority of those surveyed believe removing other celebrated figures from British currency represents a "symptom of national decline".

The current notes feature novelist Jane Austen on the £10, painter JMW Turner on the £20, and codebreaker Alan Turing on the £50.

James Johnson of JL Partners offered an assessment of the disconnect between official consultations and wider public sentiment.

"This is a great example of how public consultations run by public sector organisations do not equate to public opinion," he said.

"The Bank has got the public wrong: this is a policy that most reject".

Political figures have been vocal in their criticism of the proposed changes, with Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake arguing British currency ought to honour those who have shaped the nation's past.

"Britain's bank notes should celebrate the people who shaped our country and history," he said, "replacing legendary figures with animals is totally bonkers".

Former Chancellors have also voiced their opposition to the plans - among them Rishi Sunak, who emphasised the importance of using banknotes to commemorate national achievements.

"Our bank notes should celebrate our history," the former Prime Minister said, "they should remind us of the geniuses, the pioneers, the leaders who helped make Britain great".

Critics maintain that removing such figures undermines images central to British identity.