Chancellor Sajid Javid has unveiled the new commemorative 50p to mark
Brexit next week - and has faced an angry and mocking backlash from Remainers, with some suggesting they will refuse to use the newly-minted coin.
Javid originally ordered production of the celebratory coins in advance of the original departure date from the EU of October 31.
But the Brexit delay meant about a million coins had to be melted down and the metal put aside until a new exit date was confirmed.
The chancellor, who is Master of the Mint, has now unveiled coins bearing the inscription “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” and the date of January 31.About three million Brexit coins will enter circulation around the
UK from Friday, with a further seven million to be added later in the year.
But the launch was met with derision from those who campaigned to stay in the bloc. Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former spin doctor, he said he will ask shops for alternatives to the coin if he is handed one in the futurI 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. If they insist I will be channeling this man pic.twitter.com/9nypxaQgxT— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) January 26, 2020 Former
Labour Cabinet minister and peer Andrew Adonis went one further. I am never using or accepting this coin pic.twitter.com/93hU1jgKzo— Andrew Adonis (@Andrew_Adonis) January 26, 2020 Others suggested donating the coins as they could “only serve to divide further”. The 50p Brexit coin is pure populism and can only serve to divide further — not least because Brexit means the very opposite of what is inscribed on the coin. As I said when news about this first emerged, I will keep every single coin I get and then donate it to @the3million. https://t.co/5h1ZkFHF7Q— Prof Tanja Bueltmann (@cliodiaspora) January 26, 2020 Some proposed alternatives to the Treasury’s inscription. Come on, all you need is a permanent marker. 10 million in circulation would get the message across quite nicely. ☺️ pic.twitter.com/AHsdyE9tw3— Mrs Karen Hoyles 🇪🇺 #FBPE (@devonlass) January 26, 2020Here's the real #Brexit50p for February 1st 2020. pic.twitter.com/P95U0WT6x8— peter hurst (@phurstclass) January 26, 2020I prefer this one. #Brexit50ppic.twitter.com/CZIKTd4hvb— Jim QC 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 (@Jim_Watford) January 26, 2020I like this one better. #Brexit50p#brexitcoinpic.twitter.com/fHC2w31d8g— Joe Schmo (@joeschmoagogo) January 26, 2020 Meanwhile, Dark Materials author Philip Pullman proof read the piece. The 'Brexit' 50p coin is missing an Oxford comma, and should be boycotted by all literate people.— Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) January 26, 2020 Others were more philosophical. My son collects limited edition 50ps. I'm not worried by the gimmicks, knock yourselves out, party all night long on Friday if it floats your Seaborne Freight boat. I'm more bothered about making sure jobs in the car industry don't become as hard to find as the Beatrix Potter 50p— Jess Phillips MP (@jessphillips) January 26, 2020 And Brexiteers seemed relaxed about the complaints.
I live in Remoaner Central. Can’t wait to pay for EVERYTHING with Brexit day 50p coins. https://t.co/LAiuxDwV3i— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) January 26, 2020Related... Commemorative Brexit 50p Unveiled Days Before UK Leaving Date Michelin-Starred Chef ‘Refused Permission To Stay In UK After Brexit’ EU Warns
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