UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham reverses position on returning Parthenon Marbles to Greece
In 2023, when he was mayor of greater Manchester, Burnham had expressed unequivocal support for returning the Parthenon Marbles with ‘no strings’ attached
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reversed his stance on returning the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, despite previously advocating for their return. During a recent interview with The Financial Times, Burnham stated that the issue of returning the Marbles is ultimately a matter for the British Museum. He further emphasized his support for using British cultural diplomacy to enhance Britain's global image.
Burnham's earlier support for returning the Marbles was evident during the reopening of the Manchester Museum in February 2023, where he called for the sculptures to be returned. However, following his appointment as prime minister, the Department of Digital, Media, Culture and Sport clarified that decisions regarding the British Museum's collections are the responsibility of the museum's trustees.
The British Museum's Act of 1963 prohibits the return of the Marbles. Burnham's reversal comes in the wake of the British Museum's success in loaning the Bayeux Tapestry to France, which could potentially pave the way for future loans of cultural artifacts, such as the Parthenon Marbles, to Greece.
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