The majority of Britons are in favor of the return of the Parthenon Sculptures

A former British culture minister will chair a new body that will aim to return the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece, the BBC reveals in its report today. Lord Vesey, who was Britain's culture secretary from 2010-2016, says he is confident that "a deal is possible".

As the British network reminds, today, Thursday, a debate will be held in the House of Lords regarding the legislative act that limits the ability of museums to give away objects belonging to their collections. The British government has made it clear that it has no intention of changing this law. “The British Museum is prevented by law from removing objects from its collections except in certain rare circumstances. The government does not intend to change this legislation," was the exact statement from the Ministry of Digital Technology, Culture, Media and Sport.

Regarding the Parthenon Sculptures, the ministry has stated the following in a statement: “We will lend the sculptures, as we do many other objects, to those who wish to exhibit them to the public around the world, provided that they take care of them and they will return them. Enhancing public access and understanding, creating new ways and opportunities for sharing and understanding collections across the globe and making connections between the present and the past remain at the core of what the British Museum seeks to achieve."

Asked recently about a possible deal that could see the sculptures returned to Athens, Prime Minister Liz Truss said she was "not in favor of that."

For many years, Greece has been lobbying for the repatriation of the sculptures that the Scottish soldier and diplomat Lord Elgin removed from the Parthenon in the early 19th century. The British Museum has always said that only the government can decide their fate, although the government says that "collections are the responsibility of their managers", writes the BBC.

"Now a consultancy is planning to campaign for a 'win-win' deal, as a survey shared exclusively with the BBC appears to show that a majority of Britons support returning the sculptures to their homes," the report adds.

Lord Vesey will head the advisory board of the Parthenon Project, an organization founded by Greek businessman John Lefas. The panel will also include founding members of the Parthenon Project, two more Conservative politicians (the famous author Lord Dobbs and Baroness Meyer) and well-known famous philhellenes, such as the actor Stephen Fry and the journalist Sarah Baxter.

"Former British Chancellor of the Exchequer and current chairman of the British Museum, George Osborne, said earlier this year that a deal could be reached with Athens, although the current Conservative government appears less keen," notes the BBC's Katie Razall .

A poll of nearly 2.000 people carried out on behalf of the Parthenon Project shows that while 16% of British citizens believe the Parthenon Sculptures should remain in Britain, 54% believe they should be returned. The strongest argument for those in favor of return is because the sculptures "rightfully belong to Greece".

An analysis of survey results by the Parthenon Project shows that, among citizens who voted Conservative in 2019, 44% believe the sculptures should be returned to Greece and 28% say they would not mind at all if this happens.

Lord Vesey, new chairman of the Parthenon Project, said: “I am confident that an agreement is possible. There is clear support for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures in Athens from the public, and in particular from Conservative party voters... It would be in the interests of the British Museum and the UK Government to start meaningful discussions on this issue."

On the initiative of Lord Vesey, today, Thursday, there will be a debate on the National Heritage Act.

The Parthenon Project believes that a cultural exchange can resolve the impasse over the Parthenon Sculptures.

Stephen Fry said he was delighted to support the work of the organisation, adding: "I strongly believe there is now a real opportunity to find a solution that benefits both Britain and Greece." As he explains, that solution might include exhibiting in the British Museum's Duveen Gallery objects never before seen by the London public, and returning the Parthenon Sculptures to their homeland.

Source: First Topic