A BBC Question Time audience member said the decision to change banknotes from depicting historical figures such as Sir Winston Churchill to the UK's wildlife appeared to be "surrendering to the radical left wing."
The Bank of England, which is implementing the change, said the shift to wildlife imagery creates an opportunity to celebrate another important aspect of the nation.
It also makes it more difficult for the notes to be counterfeited while making security features more distinguishable, according to the central bank.
The audience member added, "I feel it's a completely unnecessary move. It's obviously gonna be a cost to change it... I question where this country would be without such a great leader as Winston Churchill."
