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Top Remainer figures have expressed their disdain for the new Brexit 50p coin, and refused in advance to use it as tender. Many took to social media to share their protest ideas and attempt to garner support for what is now regarded as an inevitability – the UK’s departure from the EU on January 31.
The new coin, a 50 pence piece, features the message: “Peace, prosperity, and friendship with all nations” as well as the Brexit date in smaller writing at the bottom.
Despite the coin’s apparently benevolent message, pro-EU campaigners responded with outrage.
Lord Adonis, a Labour peer who has fought ardently to reverse Brexit, tweeted: “I am never using or accepting this coin.”
Meanwhile, Alistair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former spin doctor, shared a similar message as he claimed he will ask till workers for change to make up the 50p should he receive one in the future.
He tweeted: “I for one shall be asking shopkeepers for ‘two 20p pieces and a 10’ if they offer me a 50p coin pretending that Brexit is about ‘peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations’ given it puts all three at risk.”
Other pro-Remain figures and members of the public have shared ways to stop the Brexit coin from flowing around the UK as normal tender.
One person suggested: “Here’s an idea: there are only 10million being minted.
“There are at least 20million of is.
JUST IN: Brexit 50p: What will happen to the Brexit 50p coin?
This was in reference to Boris Johnson’s, the Prime Minister, comment in 2016, when he made a comparison of the EU’s aims to Hitler’s, saying both the Nazi leader and Napoleon had failed at unification and the EU was “an attempt to do this by different methods”.
A previous set of Brexit coins were minted in advance of the October 31 Brexit date, which was later pushed back.
Those coins were melted down, one million of them, with the metal put aside until the exit date was confirmed.
Now, Mr Javid, who is Master of the Mint, was given the first batch of coins, and will present one to Mr Johnson.
Last week, it was reported that the government was in talks with Royal Mail bosses over the issuing of stamps to commemorate Brexit.
It is thought that Mr Johnson stepped in to make the formal request from the postal giant.
One minister dubbed the discussions as “very positive”.
The call for the stamps was first made two years ago by leading Brexiteer MPs.
The Royal Mail had originally opposed the move, insisting that the stamps would breach its “strict political neutrality”.
But, the talks now underway could see a book of four stamps being issued, each with a different design.
They would be ready to go on sale in January 2021, marking an end to the 11 month-long Brexit transition period.
This will end the UK’s connection to EU rules in many areas.
