The Labour government, having overseen the return of the Chagos Islands and shown openness towards discussions on reparations, faces growing speculation about the Parthenon Marbles.
The Marbles became a flashpoint in UK-Greece relations last year, accentuated by a striking remark from Keir Starmer, then Leader of the Opposition, during Prime Minister’s Questions: ‘Never mind the British Museum, it’s the Prime Minister who has obviously lost his marbles.’
Now that Starmer is in power, questions swirl around his willingness to revisit the issue. Reports from Athens, particularly from the prominent Greek newspaper Ta Nea, suggest a change may be afoot. The publication recently claimed that the UK's Culture Secretary expressed an eagerness to engage with Greece over the Parthenon Marbles. The article featured comments from Lisa Nandy, highlighting the UK's intent to find a resolution to this protracted cultural dispute.
Nandy reportedly emphasized the Labour government's desire to work collaboratively with Greece, aiming to repair and strengthen bilateral relations.
Ta Nea underscored that her remarks indicate a potential departure from the longstanding stance of previous British administrations, which delegated the matter to the British Museum and avoided governmental involvement.
Despite these promising signals, the Department for Culture has stated that there are no legislative changes planned that would allow for the permanent return of the Parthenon Sculptures. This official position remains unchanged.
Nevertheless, observers recall similar denials preceding the handover of the Chagos Islands, suggesting the situation warrants attention. The fate of the Parthenon Marbles remains uncertain, but it's clear that diplomatic dialogues could reshape this enduring narrative.
Source The Spectator