Sunak's Elgin Marbles culture war is hopeless
Evening Standard|November 30, 2023
THE first rule of starting a culture war is that you have to look like you believe in your cause. British politics has unusually low standards for charisma Nigel Farage is a "personality" in politics, but not, it turns out, when you put him among actual celebrities on a reality TV show.
Martha Gill
Sunak's Elgin Marbles culture war is hopeless

But still, someone like Farage could pull off a tantrum over the Elgin Marbles. Sunak can't. And this, in part, is because you don't believe he believes what he is saying.

He's just not convincing in the part. It is something to do with the persona on which he rose to power: the public responded to this sensible technocrat, who would at least not make the splashy errors of his predecessors. When Sunak started criticising "lefty lawyers" and talking about the need to make "radical decisions" in line with "common sense", observers tended to assume this wasn't the real him. The act reached pantomime levels this week when Sunak abruptly cancelled a meeting with the Greek prime minister - prompting various colourful responses from the Greek side.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EVENING STANDARDView all
Only £65k a month to live like Boy George
The London Standard

Only £65k a month to live like Boy George

The Karma Chameleon singer listed his house for £17m in 2022, turning down offers. Now, he's looking for a tenant

time-read
2 mins  |
September 26, 2024
Welcome to London, unicorn capital of Europe
The London Standard

Welcome to London, unicorn capital of Europe

We're flying far ahead of anywhere outside US for tech investment

time-read
3 mins  |
September 26, 2024
Arteta's Arsenal evolution The next phase
The London Standard

Arteta's Arsenal evolution The next phase

Malik Ouzia and Simon Collings assess how the Spaniard will try to bring down Man City after he signs up for another three years with the title in his sights

time-read
6 mins  |
September 26, 2024
Title fight catches fire after Gunners embrace dark side
The London Standard

Title fight catches fire after Gunners embrace dark side

Arsenal-City clashes take on a welcome edge of animosity

time-read
2 mins  |
September 26, 2024
Whack the hippy gong-boho's back
The London Standard

Whack the hippy gong-boho's back

It happened in Paris one grey February day. Sienna Miller was in an oversized, black leather jacket, lace-trimmed silk slip and clumpy great wedges.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 26, 2024
There's a Starlink waiting in the sky... 7,000 in fact.Can Elon Musk stop them crashing to Earth?
The London Standard

There's a Starlink waiting in the sky... 7,000 in fact.Can Elon Musk stop them crashing to Earth?

As he was preparing his fields for seeding this year, Barry Sawchuk came across a giant slab of space debris. It had come from a spacecraft belonging to Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 26, 2024
'Politicians are only into power-mongering, corruption and cronyism'
The London Standard

'Politicians are only into power-mongering, corruption and cronyism'

We speak to alt revolutionary DEEPAK CHOPRA about biomarkers, his digital twin and his work to save humanity from disease

time-read
4 mins  |
September 26, 2024
I've been waiting for a production of Godotthis brilliant all my life
The London Standard

I've been waiting for a production of Godotthis brilliant all my life

Ben Whishaw and Lucian Msamati bring a potent, tragicomic chemistry to James Macdonald’s rich revival of Samuel Beckett’s challenging play.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 26, 2024
Trust me, the Ritz is London's bestrestaurant
The London Standard

Trust me, the Ritz is London's bestrestaurant

To whom we turn in moments of gloom and glory can be instructive, a filter of our truest friends. I've fallen out with the Ritz a couple of times, including once after a visit to the bar which didn’t warrant a review (“But you said it was lovely!” they said.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 26, 2024
'Healing is a dirty word'
The London Standard

'Healing is a dirty word'

After four traumatic years, FKA twigs is back with a new album -and a thrilling metamorphosis

time-read
5 mins  |
September 26, 2024