The new Labour government in the UK has hinted it will agree to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece on a long-term loan, according to British press reports.
Responding to a written question Culture Minister Chris Bryant said: said: “Decisions relating to the care and management of the museum’s collections, including loaning objects from their collection, are a matter for the Trustees of the British Museum, in accordance with the British Museum Act 1963.
“The British Museum is operationally independent of the Government.
“We are aware that the Chair of the Trustees, George Osborne, has had talks with Greek Ministers on the issue, seeking a constructive partnership.
“We value the work that the British Museum does internationally, and welcome the success of their partnerships, such as the recent collaboration between the British Museum, the V&A, and the Manhyia Palace Museum in Ghana.”
He was referring to the deal by the British Museum and V&A to return 32 gold and silver items to Ghana on a three year loan, with a possible extension for an additional three years, in April. Labour has hinted it may consider similar loan deals with Greece.
Labour to lend Parthenon Marbles for a European charm offensive?
As The Times of London points out in a related article, this response represents a clear change of tone from the previous Conservative government.
The “pause” phase which the relevant Greek-British contacts on the issue had entered due to the Tories’ introversion in previous years, which culminated in the rather inelegant cancellation of the meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his then counterpart Rishi Sunak, has now been overcome.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as the British newspaper points out, may use the return issue as part of a “charm offensive” with Europe, with which he wants to reinvigorate UK relations.
“Lending” the sculptures is the stumbling block
The Labour government does not intend to change the law that provides for the export of antiquities from the country’s museums. In all their reference to the issue, they use the term “borrowing.”
Therefore, the basic difference of perception between Greece and the UK remains, with Athens insisting that it has full ownership of the “stolen objects.”
Bryant remained unequivocal on the ownership of the Parthenon Marbles: “With regards to the legal title for the Parthenon Sculptures, the removal of the sculptures was lawful and well-documented.
“They were transferred to the British Museum in 1816 and have been the legal property of the British Museum, not the UK Government, since then.”
A UK law prevents the Marbles from being legally given away and Labour has said it will not repeal the legislation.
In December the Greek culture minister said Athens would be willing to “compensate” the British Museum if it returns the Elgin Marbles.
Lina Mendoni said Greece would lend the museum some of its most “important antiquities” to “fill the void”.
It comes after British Museum chairman George Osborne pledged in November to continue working on an exchange deal to allow the Elgin Marbles to be displayed in Greece.
Related: “Open to Return Parthenon Sculptures to Greece,” UK Labour Leader Says
