Peter Ainsworth MP, Chairman of the Elgar Foundation, has today called on the Bank of England to reconsider its decision to remove Edward Elgar from £20 notes.
Mr Ainsworth’s calls come ahead of the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth, an occasion which will be celebrated by high profile events and concerts across the country. Earlier this week, the Bank of England unveiled plans to replace Elgar’s picture with that of Adam Smith, author of An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
Mr Ainsworth has written to Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, asking him to delay the decision so that it does not coincide with anniversary celebrations. He has also tabled a motion in the House of Commons requesting that the implementation of the decision be deferred until a later date.
Peter Ainsworth said:
“If Elgar had to be replaced as the figurehead of the £20 notes there are indeed few better candidates than Adam Smith. However, it would be spectacularly bad timing to remove the great composer in a year when such major efforts are being made to honour his birth.”
He went on to say:
“Of course there are many factors which dictate such a decision, but I know that Mr King is a lover of music and I hope he will recognise the insensitivity of the timing and give Elgar a stay of execution until the celebrations are over."
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