Liz Truss on the Parthenon Marbles
October 7 2022
Picture: BG
The UK's new prime minister, who has not had the best start, was asked in an interview whether she supports any attempt by the British Museum to come to 'a deal' (as Chair George Osborne said) with the Greek government. She replied; 'I don't support that'. Which is further than even fag-waving classicist Boris Johnson went when he was Prime Minister; he stuck to the formula simply that it was a matter for the British Museum. Any deal between the BM and the Greek government was always contingent on the issue not become caught up in a political culture war. So I hope Truss hasn't undone the political space to do a deal which has been carefully built up by both sides over the last year or so.
In other UK government news, we have a new Arts Minister, The Rt Hon Stuart Andrew. He replaces Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, who was replaced by Truss just ten days short of a year in the post (and who I thought was doing a fine job). Andrew is the sixth Arts Minister in five years.
