
Rishi Sunak was so annoyed by his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, talking aloud about their return to Athens that he cancelled their meeting planned for yesterday – a highly unusual snub. The prime minister resented the issue gaining a higher profile, with the risk he would be left looking weak in the face of a foreign threat (absurd as that might sound).
Ownership has been a touchy subject for some decades; they are an ironic totem of British sovereignty given that relatively few Britons know what or where they are. In some circles, mention of them can provoke a paroxysm of post-imperial pride and tenacity. Like many other such national “possessions”, they have become political symbols and thus virtually immune from rational debate. Indeed, such is the current taste for “culture wars” that they are more bitterly contested than ever.
Are we going to give the Parthenon marbles back?
No. There is far too much national pride associated with these artefacts, and even a prime minister in a far stronger position than Mr Sunak would find it difficult to survive the backlash. For the same reason, Labour has made no such promises, though it has to be said that Sir Keir Starmer handled his meeting with Mr Mitsotakis more deftly. (The fact that Mr Mitsotakis met the leader of the Opposition first might have further irritated Mr Sunak).
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 29, 2023-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 29, 2023-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden

Bivol gambles on rematch to banish ‘a tasteless life'
Dmitry Bivol talks Alex Pattle through the crucial details that could decide Saturday's 'revenge' against Artur Beterbiev

The good, the bad and the ugly: celebrating 40 years of high drama in Albert Square
‘EastEnders’ may not be at its peak but every moment, from ridiculous reveals to social commentary, has played a part in four decades of cockney-fuelled fun,

Will taxpayers foot the bill if Thames Water goes bust?
Britain's largest, and most indebted, private utility, Thames Water, has been in financial difficulties for some time and has now been given another reprieve by the High Court.

Rick Buckler, drummer with The Jam, dies at 69
Rick Buckler, the drummer of The Jam, has died aged 69, his former bandmate Paul Weller said.

THREE'S A CROWD
One thing that Mike White's hit drama 'The White Lotus' really nails is toxic female friendship, praises Olivia Petter

Face-off in Madrid is City's most demanding game yet
The perfectionist is aiming to be almost perfect. Manchester City have been wildly imperfect this season; it is why they think they are on the brink of their earliest Champions League exit since Roberto Mancini's reign.

Ball pressed pause – it's a rare skill we must all learn
Weeks after a teary exit from her radio show, the national treasure was taking time off to work in a beach cafe. As the former editor of a magazine, Rosie Nixon can relate to a need to slow down and offers her approach to a restful reset

Bailey brings precision and camp charisma to Richard II
The 'Wicked' star delights in the speeches of Shakespeare's homoerotic text as the queer-coded despot,

US sets scene for seismic shift in Russian relations
The US and Russia held talks in Saudi Arabia yesterday that set the scene for a seismic shift in relations - and a potential turning point for the Ukraine war after three bloody years.

Man jailed for abusive and racist emails to politicians
A 39-year-old man who sent abusive emails to safeguarding minister Jess Phillips and Sir Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has been jailed for 28 weeks.