Sir Keir Starmer, please remember that you also have a moral responsibility to reunite the Parthenon Marbles

Yesterday's Daily Mail headline: Sir Keir Starmer warns Labour MPs that Reform is now their 'main rival' and they have a 'moral duty' to stop Nigel Farage becoming PM.

Great to see that UK's  Prime Minister urging moral responsibility - we'd love to see the same being applied to the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, not because that's what we've campaigned for over four decades but because it makes moral sense. 

UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property (ICPRCP) voted unanimously for the first time at its 22nd session in 2021 to include the return of the Parthenon Marbles in its decision document, marking a major step forward since Greece first introduced the request to the meeting’s agenda in 1984.

ICPRCP’s decision says that Greece’s request for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures is "legitimate and rightful" and calls on Britain "to reconsider its stand and proceed to a bona fide dialogue with Greece on the matter".

Most importantly, the Committee acknowledges for the first time that "the case has an intergovernmental character and, therefore, the obligation to return the Parthenon Sculptures lies squarely on the UK Government."

This is in stark contrast to the UK government’s assertion that it is for the British Museum, not the government, to discuss the issue and make decisions related to it.

During a Westminster Hall debate on the Parthenon Marbles on 01 May, Sir Chris Bryant said that this Labour government "have no intention to change the law." Sir Bryant was referring to the Museum Act post his statement: "The important point that I am trying to clarify—because I think there has been some misunderstanding—is that under existing law, it would be impossible for there to be a permanent or indefinite loan. The trustees would be required, in seeking a licence to export, to show that they were absolutely certain that the items were returning. I do not think that would be easy if they had arranged a permanent or indefinite loan —the point being that we would have to change the law." 

If consecutive UK governments, both Conservative and Labour, have no intention of changing the law and the British Museum Director, Dr Cullinan has also stated this month that he prefers to collaborate with countries, with loans to facilitate movement but not restitution, what has happened to Britain's moral compass?

Appreciate that keeping Mr Farage out of No10 is different to keeping half of a peerless collection of sculptures divided despite UNESCO ICPRCP decision, but if one is based on moral responsibility, then surely the plight of the sculptures beg the same question. When will Britain's government accept moral responsibility for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles? Reuniting the Parthenon Marble would elevate Britain's moral standing, globally.