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A bid to change the law so that the likes of Shirley Bassey and Aneurin Bevan could appear on Welsh banknotes has been derailed by the UK Government.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own banknotes and Labour and Plaid Cymru supported a measure would have opened the door to a new era of Welsh notes.

MPs in the Commons described the Welsh characters they would like to see on banknotes but they were outvoted by the Conservatives.

(Image: Parliament TV)

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards said the UK Government had made a “major political miscalculation”.

Mr Edwards said the proposal had “overwhelming public support”.

(Image: Richard Swingler Media Wales)

'An important way of recognising the people who have shaped Wales'

Shadow Welsh Secretary Nia Griffith said: “I’m deeply disappointed that the Conservatives voted against introducing Welsh banknotes. This proposal had widespread support amongst Welsh Labour MPs and the full support of Labour’s Treasury team.

“Welsh banknotes would be an important way of recognising the people who have shaped Wales as we know it today, and it is only fair when Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own banknotes.

“During today’s debate many of my colleagues made their own suggestions as to who could feature on Welsh banknotes - figures such as Aneurin Bevan and Dame Shirley Bassey - but ultimately this would be a decision for the people of Wales. Labour will continue pressing the Conservatives to reconsider their opposition to these proposals.”

The amendment to the Bank of England and Financial Services Bill – to “enable Lloyds Banking Group, the holder of the Bank of Wales trademark, to issue banknotes in Wales” was defeated by 301 to 239.

In the Commons, Mr Edwards said there should be a “conversation” among the people of Wales as to who should appear on banknotes.

'Fair and sensible'

He said: “Like other parts of the UK, Wales was once awash with small banks covering relatively small geographical areas which were allowed to issue their own banknotes.”

Mr Edwards said it was “fair and sensible” for Wales to have banknotes which feature its own celebrated landmarks and historic figures. He suggested Owain Glyndwr, Liberal PM David Lloyd George, Labour NHS pioneer Aneurin Bevan and the first Plaid MP, Gwynfor Evans, as candidates for the honour.

He argued: “The Royal Mint already produces Welsh specific coins so my proposals raise no major issue of principle.”

'Snubbing the Welsh people'

Labour Shadow Treasury Minister Richard Burgon gave his backing, saying he would like to see the Manic Street Preachers on a Welsh banknote.

He warned the UK Government against “snubbing the Welsh people in their desire for their own banknote”.

Wait for the polymer £5 note

But UK Treasury Minister Harriett Baldwin said that although she sympathised with the desire for Welsh banknotes the Government would not support the amendment.

She said: “The last private note issuer in Wales was the North and South Wales Bank which lost its note-issuing rights in 1908 when it was taken over by the Midland Bank which now has been rebranded as HSBC.”

Ms Baldwin said the proposals would give a “clear commercial advantage in the country of Wales to just one bank, the Lloyds Banking Group.”

She added: “I can confirm that the Bank of England has already announced that future banknotes, starting with the polymer £5 note which will be issued from September 2016 will include symbols which represent all four home nations. For Wales, the imagery will be taken from the Royal Coat of Arms and the Royal Badge of Wales.”