The pound in your pocket; or tenner in this case

I could not help smiling grimly to myself the other day when the great and the good? were tying themselves in knots trying to justify why Jane Austin was being put on the £10 note. Various reasons were given but not the real one which is that for some weird reason known only unto themselves the useless article has become a figurehead for feminist fascists.

Women have as much right to be represented on banknotes as man, Florence Nightingale and Elizabeth Fry being excellent choices compared to which Austin the middle-class authoress and it could be argued originator of chick-lit pales into insignificance.

I am sure that there are many better examples to choose, two spring to mind Amy Johnson or say Marie Lloyd both strong willed women that made their mark but then I suspect that as feminists with the biggest influence are university educated and therefore now middle-class pure snobbishness would prevent Amy, Marie and others of their background allowed on banknotes because like the suffragettes those at the top of that organisation were fighting for women to have the votes as long as it was only those from their class.

As bank notes and coins are circulated amongst all of us I would suggest it would be more democratic to have names nominated by one and all and then have a public vote for who the majority want to have on notes in their purses and wallets.

Oh well at least while Austin is on the tenner I will be encouraged to use more contactless purchases rather than have that nonentities image in my pocket.