‘We’re doomed, don’t panic’: New Brexit 50p coin met with ridicule
Reports that Chancellor Philip Hammond will unveil plans for a new 50p coin to mark Britain’s withdrawal from the EU in his Budget on Monday have been met with widespread ridicule on social media.
The Sun reports that the Chancellor will announce advanced plans for a special seven-sided Brexit 50p coin, which will be made available from 11pm on March 29, 2019, the very day Britain leaves the EU.
Plans for a Brexit coin have been met with mockery on social media, with many joking that the new 50p will be worth a lot less when it’s put out as legal tender next year, making it a “perfect tribute” to the UK leaving the EU. Others have interpreted the proposal as nothing more than a gimmick, much like the idea for a British blue passport once the UK exits the EU.
Brexit so far amounts to: a blue passport, a cheap looking 50p coin and a shitty festival on the South bank.
— Otto English (@Otto_English) October 29, 2018
Brexit 50p designs leaked pic.twitter.com/rFtuQF3Hq4
— Olaf Falafel (@OFalafel) October 29, 2018
Although the value of a Brexit 50p will go down faster than Boris Johnson's status, let's consider #ThingsToBuyWithBrexitCoins Please RT
— Will Black (@WillBlackWriter) October 29, 2018
Fully approve of the new Brexit 50p... #BrexitCoinpic.twitter.com/BK8dfJ9BTP
— Morgan Calton (@mccalton) October 29, 2018
Things less welcome than the Brexit 'celebratory' 50p:- Monday Mornings. - A Mrs Brown's Boys 2 hour long Xmas special. - A dick pic from Donald Trump.- Dinner with the in-laws.- Being given a Cliff Richard Calendar for Christmas.- A dose of the clap.
— Pearly (@londonlass666) October 29, 2018
That special Brexit 50p coin will be worth about 36p, so a perfect tribute then
— Mike Hind (@MikeH_PR) October 29, 2018
According to The Sun, the commemorative coin, which the Queen has had to personally sign off, will bear the phrase ‘Friendship With All Nations’, in a bid to send out a positive signal to the world. The coin will also include the date of Brexit enshrined around the image of the head of state.
It’s thought Hammond, who campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU, wants to use the new coin to underline the positive opportunities Brexit presents, with the expectation it will go down well with Leave voters. A source close to the Chancellor told The Sun: “It’s an historic moment which will rightly be commemorated.”
A 50p coin was issued to mark Britain’s entry into the European Economic Community in 1973, as well as our 25th anniversary of joining in 1998.It’s right and proper to celebrate our withdrawal and Britain embracing the world outside the EU racket. https://t.co/DffLP9E0fx
— Darren Grimes (@darrengrimes_) October 28, 2018
One Leave campaigner the plans have gone down well with is Darren Grimes, a leading Brexit activist during the 2016 EU referendum campaign. The BeLeave campaign founder was fined £20,000 (US$25,690) by the Electoral Commission for breaking EU referendum spending laws. He’s taken to social media to claim the issuance of a commemorative Brexit coin was “right and proper.”
The now privately owned Royal Mail, no longer under the government’s control, has repeatedly refused to issue a commemorative Brexit stamp, claiming the issue is still too politically controversial.
It comes as the Chancellor sets out his Budget in Parliament for the coming year. It’s been widely reported that it could end up being a provisional Budget, which Hammond may have to rip up if the UK fails to secure a Brexit deal with the EU.
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
Subscribe to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media won’t tell you.