Tories accuse PM of caving in to ‘radical left’ over Parthenon marbles – even though 53% of voters back their return
Readers will have noticed that there was no mention of the Parthenon marbles in the readout of the meeting between Keir Starmer and his Greek counterpart. (See 12.58pm.) Yesterday No 10 said Starmer would not be raising his issue at the meeting and at the lobby briefing this morning the PM’s suggested the meeting focused on trade and foreign policy issues, not the marbles.
But that has not stopped the Conservatives claiming that Starmer is about to cave in to the “radical left” over the marbles. As the lobby briefing was ending, but before the No 10 readout was released, CCHQ released a statement from Saqib Bhatti, a shadow culture minister, saying:
Sir Keir Starmer has already capitulated over the Chagos Islands, and now it appears he is set to cave in to the radical left and return the Elgin marbles to Greece.
The British Museum has cared for these precious artefacts for generations and given people from around the globe the chance to learn about their tremendous story.
The marbles are protected by an act of parliament – the PM needs to be clear that he will not allow the law to be changed and block any legal work around that might be devised to allow them to be taken out of this country.
The prime minister should be standing up for Britain, our heritage, and our world-class cultural institutions instead of giving in to pressure from campaigners who detest British history.
The Tory statement seems to have been inspired by this Guardian story by Helena Smith, saying that talks betweent the Greeks and the British Museum over a deal that could see the sculptures returned to Athens are “well advanced”.
Under the British Museum Act 1963, the museum is not allowed to give away its artefacts. No 10 insists it has no plans to change this law. But asked if the government would try to block the marbles going to Greece as part of a loan agreement, the PM’s spokesperson told journalists today:
The government’s position is we have no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move, and that the case of decisions relating to the care and management of the sculptures are a matter for the trustees for the British Museum, which is operationally independent.
Asked if that meant the Greeks could get the artefacts on loan, the spokesperson replied: “Those decisions are entirely for the British Museum.”
So, if there is a deal with the Greeks about the Parthenon marbles, it does not sound like one that Starmer, or the government, particularly wants to be associated with. In public at least, it is certainly not something the PM is pushing for.
And, according to YouGov polling, more than half of voters are in favour sending the marbles back to Greece anyway. Fewer than a quarter of them want the sculptures to stay. This suggests the Tories’ claim that marbles repatriation is a “radical left” cause is is also erroneous – unless they believe radical leftism has already captured the country.
Key events
Back to Wales, and Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Plaid Cymru leader, has said the resignation of Andrew RT Davies as Welsh Conservative leader shows the Tories are not offering solutions to the people of Wales. Ap Iorwerth said:
The legacy of the Tories in Wales is one of chaos and cuts – a legacy that was roundly rejected at the ballot box this year. They offer no solutions for the challenges facing our communities and nor do they have a serious plan for government.
Plaid Cymru stands ready to offer Wales a fresh start. While the Tories fight amongst themselves and Labour continues to let down our communities, Plaid Cymru is united and focused on delivering our vision to rebuild our economy, fix the NHS, demand fair treatment from UK Government and show real ambition for the future of our nation.
Electoral reform campaigners achieve symbolic win as MPs back PR bill in vote with no practical effect
MPs have voted for PR. The Commons voted to give Sarah Olney leave to bring in her PR bill by 138 votes to 136.
This will have no practical impact. (See 3pm.) A 10-minute rule bill is a type of private member’s bill but, even though after the vote was read out the deputy Speaker made a point of asking what day was set aside for the second reading (Friday 24 January), no time will be allocated for the bill that day, and so after today it will vanish into the parliamentary ether. Asking for the date of the second reading is an empty ritual.
But, symbolically, this is a victory for electoral reform campaigners.
And the result may be seen as further evidence that there is significant support for PR in the parliamentary Labour party.
However, Keir Starmer has shown no interest in electoral reform, and given that he won a landslide majority through first past the post, campaigners for a different system may have a hard job getting him to change his mind.
MPs vote on 10-minute rule bill backing PR
In the Commons MPs are voting on proportional representation. It is not a vote that will have any impact (even if it passes), but the numbers may be interesting.
Under the 10-minute rule procedure, MPs who win a slot can give a short speech proposing a bill. The Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney got a 10-minute rule bill slot today and she proposed “a bill to introduce a system of proportional representation for parliamentary elections and for local government elections in England”.
Normally, when an MP proposes a 10-minute rule bill motion, they get leave to bring in the bill, and then nothing is ever heard of the legislation ever again.
But today the Conservative MP Lewis Cocking gave a speech opposing PR, and MPs are now voting on whether or not Olney should have leave to bring in her bill.
Mel Stride suggests Reeves ‘spoke without thinking’ as he taunts her for not restating CBI comment ruling out all future tax rises
Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, has refused to repeat what she told the CBI last month when she said: “I’m not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes.”
During Treasury questions in the Commons this morning, Mel Stride, her Tory shadow, quoted Reeves’s words and asked: “Did she mean it?”
Reeves replied:
At the budget in October, which [Stride] knows, we had to fix a £22bn black hole in the public finances, and of course some of that black hole comes from the fact that we are the only G7 economy where employment is lower than it was before the pandemic, when he was presiding as work and pensions secretary in the previous government.
So we did have to raise taxes to fund our public services, but never again will we have to repeat a budget like that, because we have now wiped the slate clean and drawn a line under the mess created by the last government.
When Stride asked Reeves if she was refusing to repeat what she told the CBI because she had been over-ruled by No 10, or because she “spoke without thinking”, Reeves replied:
No chancellor is going to write five years worth of budget in their first five months as chancellor of the exchequer, but what I can say is that we will never have to deliver a budget like that again, because we took the decisions in this budget to wipe the slate clean after this mismanagement and decline and chaos of the previous government.
Experts tells MPs young people should not be forced to do T-levels as main alternative to A-levels
Richard Adams
Education experts and sector leaders have urged the government to avoid forcing young people to take T-levels as the main alternative to A-levels in England, describing the new post-16 vocational qualification as “chunky” and lacking in options.
The Department for Education has paused plans to end state funding of alternatives to T-levels, including BTecs, where they overlap with T-level subjects. A wider decision is expected as soon as next week.
Anna Gardner, chief executive of the Edge Foundation which promotes skills education, told MPs on the education select committee this morning that T-levels are “possibly not the route for every young person”, with 30% of the most recent cohort dropping out during the two-year course, compared with 90% retention for students taking BTecs and A-levels.
Gardner said:
There are overlaps but there are a number of students who will need that overlap and the option to do BTecs or other qualifications in this area, and we want to make sure we don’t take away that choice.
David Robinson, director for post-16 and skills at the Education Policy Institute, said that while 25% of students hadn’t gained a grade 4 or better in English or maths GCSEs, only a fraction had gone on to take T-levels. He said:
I think there are serious questions around where [the remaining] 20% of students are going to go.
T-levels were launched in 2020, with a single course intended to be equivalent to taking three A-levels. However take-up has been sluggish, with the government this week reducing the amount of work placements that students will be expected to undertake.
Tories accuse PM of caving in to ‘radical left’ over Parthenon marbles – even though 53% of voters back their return
Readers will have noticed that there was no mention of the Parthenon marbles in the readout of the meeting between Keir Starmer and his Greek counterpart. (See 12.58pm.) Yesterday No 10 said Starmer would not be raising his issue at the meeting and at the lobby briefing this morning the PM’s suggested the meeting focused on trade and foreign policy issues, not the marbles.
But that has not stopped the Conservatives claiming that Starmer is about to cave in to the “radical left” over the marbles. As the lobby briefing was ending, but before the No 10 readout was released, CCHQ released a statement from Saqib Bhatti, a shadow culture minister, saying:
Sir Keir Starmer has already capitulated over the Chagos Islands, and now it appears he is set to cave in to the radical left and return the Elgin marbles to Greece.
The British Museum has cared for these precious artefacts for generations and given people from around the globe the chance to learn about their tremendous story.
The marbles are protected by an act of parliament – the PM needs to be clear that he will not allow the law to be changed and block any legal work around that might be devised to allow them to be taken out of this country.
The prime minister should be standing up for Britain, our heritage, and our world-class cultural institutions instead of giving in to pressure from campaigners who detest British history.
The Tory statement seems to have been inspired by this Guardian story by Helena Smith, saying that talks betweent the Greeks and the British Museum over a deal that could see the sculptures returned to Athens are “well advanced”.
Under the British Museum Act 1963, the museum is not allowed to give away its artefacts. No 10 insists it has no plans to change this law. But asked if the government would try to block the marbles going to Greece as part of a loan agreement, the PM’s spokesperson told journalists today:
The government’s position is we have no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move, and that the case of decisions relating to the care and management of the sculptures are a matter for the trustees for the British Museum, which is operationally independent.
Asked if that meant the Greeks could get the artefacts on loan, the spokesperson replied: “Those decisions are entirely for the British Museum.”
So, if there is a deal with the Greeks about the Parthenon marbles, it does not sound like one that Starmer, or the government, particularly wants to be associated with. In public at least, it is certainly not something the PM is pushing for.
And, according to YouGov polling, more than half of voters are in favour sending the marbles back to Greece anyway. Fewer than a quarter of them want the sculptures to stay. This suggests the Tories’ claim that marbles repatriation is a “radical left” cause is is also erroneous – unless they believe radical leftism has already captured the country.
Downing Street has released its readout of Keir Starmer’s meeting with his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. A No 10 spokesperson said:
[Starmer] began by underlining the importance of the UK-Greece relationship and reiterated his ambition for closer working with partners across Europe.
The leaders agreed that there are strong opportunities to deliver growth for both countries across trade, investment, education and defence and they looked forward to strengthening this collaboration.
On illegal migration, the prime ministers agreed to double-down on the joint action between the UK and Greece to tackle this shared challenge.
Turning to global conflicts, they both underlined their unwavering support for Ukraine and reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza to enable regional stability in the Middle East.
The prime minister welcomed Greece’s Presidency at the UN Security Council next year as an opportunity to continue these important discussions.
They agreed to stay in touch.
Foreign Office minister insists there’s been ‘no change in UK position’ on Ukraine, despite PM’s negotiation talk in speech
Catherine West, the Foreign Office minister, is responding to Patel. She claims there has been no change in the government’s position. She says:
Could I reassure [Patel] that there is no change in the UK position. We have always said we will support Ukraine to achieve a just peace on its own terms. The PM has been clear, including in his speech last night, that we must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support self defence for as long as it takes, because it’s for Ukraine to determine its position in any future discussions.
Priti Patel says Starmer’s Mansion House speech implied change in government’s stance on Ukraine
Catherine West, a Foreign Office minister, is responding to the urgent question about Ukraine.
She says UK support for Ukraine is “ironclad”. In her opening statement, she does not mention negotiations, or the PM’s speech last night.
In her response, Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, says Keir Starmer’s language was last night was new. In the past the government has said the UK will do what it takes to support Ukraine.
She says all MPs want to see Ukraine in the strongest possible postion.
But she goes on:
If the government is now framing this through the lens of negotiation, does the minister believe that this would represent a departure from the current approach and the statements that have been issued in this house?
What Starmer said about Ukraine in Mansion House speech
Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, is asking a Commons urgent question about Ukraine.
In his Mansion House speech last night, Keir Starmer hinted that the the government expects Ukraine to open negotiations with Russia soon about a possible peace deal. He said:
And let’s be clear, the future of freedom in Europe is being decided today. We face a near and present danger with Russia as an erratic, increasingly desperate aggressor, on our continent marshalling all its resources – along with North Korean troops and Iranian missiles – aiming to kill and to conquer.
So there’s no question. It’s right we support Ukraine. But we must also be clear that it is deeply in our self-interest to do so. I would encourage everyone here to stop and think for a moment about what it would mean to us, to our continent, to the world if Russia wins. What would it mean for our values – for democracy, commerce, and liberty?
It means they are weakened. It means that other autocrats would believe they can follow in Putin’s example. And it means that our own security, stability and prosperity – are damaged. The further Russian troops advance, the closer the threat becomes. The more land they control, the more they control grain prices and energy sources, and the more confident Putin becomes.
So we must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defence for as long as it takes. To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so that they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence – and right to choose their future.
Nigel Huddleston, the Conservative party chair, has put out a statement about the resignation of Andrew RT Davies as the party’s leader in Wales.
He says the whole party is “united” in wanting renewal – which implies a poor understanding of the circumstances leading to Davies’s resignation. (See 12.11pm.)
Huddleston says:
I would like to thank Andrew RT Davies for his dedication and leadership of the Welsh Conservatives.
Over 10 years he has done a great job in holding the Welsh Labour Government to account – never missing an opportunity to highlight their mishandling of the NHS, roads and the economy.
The whole Conservative party is united in renewing the party for the future and I know that Andrew will help us with that mission as he continues in his role as an assembly member.
New Covid corruption commissioner will investigate ‘carnival for fraud’ in PPE contracts, Reeves tells MPs
This is what Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, told MPs during Treasury questions about the appointment of Tom Hayhoe as her Covid corruption commissioner.
Sound management of the public finances means spending wisely and not sending money to fraudsters. Today I have appointed the health expert Tom Hayhoe as our new Covid counter-fraud commissioner.
As chair of a NHS trust during the pandemic he saw the urgency of getting PPE to NHS staff when they needed it. Now he is at his desk in my department starting the work to investigate the billions of pounds lost to fraud and underperforming contracts and instead ensuring that money is where it belongs in our public services.
Tom Hayhoe will leave no stone unturned in investigating the carnival of fraud that the previous government presided over, including in PPE contracts where they recommended that any attempts to reclaim that money be abandoned.
Welsh Labour says Davies’s resignation shows Tories still ‘navel gazing’ and ignoring needs of voters
Steven Morris
Welsh Labour accused the Tories of focusing on themselves rather than the people of Wales. A spokesperson said:
The Welsh Conservative summer of naval gazing continues into the autumn. Instead of focusing on the needs of the people of Wales and reflecting on why voters so thoroughly rejected them in the general election, they are choosing to continue to focus on themselves.
The Welsh Conservatives have shown themselves, once more, to not be a serious party. Only Welsh Labour is serious about delivering for the people of Wales.
Welsh Labour has had a terrible year itself with its former leader and first minister Vaughan Gething forced to resign following an election donation scandal.
Reform UK, which is targeting seats at the Senedd election, said:
True to form, the Tories have turfed out another leader thinking that will resurrect their failing party. They care more about jousting for position than they do about serving Welsh people.
It does not matter who they have as leader, the simple fact is they have failed in opposition just as they failed Wales in government in Westminster for 14 years.
Adrian Masters from ITV Cymru has posted the results of the no confidence vote in Andrew RT Davies on social media.
Breakdown of Welsh Conservative confidence vote:
Confidence: RT Davies, Jones, Gareth Davies, James, Finch Saunders, Paul Davies, George, Isherwood, Millar
No confidence: Kurtz, Rowlands, Giffard, Fox, Hussein, Asghar, Evans
Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies resigns, saying his position ‘untenable’ after he almost lost confidence vote
Steven Morris
The leader of the Welsh Tories, Andrew RT Davies, has announced his resignation – despite winning a vote of confidence called following a dismal UK general election campaign and concern over comments he has made on halal meat, the abolition of the Welsh parliament and the country’s 20mph speed limit law.
Nine members of the Welsh parliament’s Tory group backed Davies while seven were against him. But Davies says the fact that he almost lost has made it impossible for him to stay on.
Davies, a farmer from Cowbridge in south Wales, has twice led the Tories in Wales, from 2011 to 2018 and then again from 2021 but his leadership has come under scrutiny in recent months.
The Tories were completely wiped out in Wales at the UK general election.
They are currently the second biggest part in the Senedd, the Welsh parliament, but a poll published this week put them in fourth place behind Plaid, Labour and Reform UK when people were asked who they would vote for at the next Senedd elections in 2026.
Davies has faced criticism after claiming “children should not be forced to eat halal school lunches” in an article for GB News, when a constituent alleged she was told non-halal meat was not available at her daughter’s school.
He was criticised for a post on social media from the Vale of Glamorgan County Show inviting people to have their say on abolishing the Senedd – not a Tory policy.
Davies was also reprimanded for bringing the Senedd into disrepute by calling Wales’ 20mph speed limit a “blanket” policy, which is wrong because there are exemptions.
In his resignation letter, Davies says that even though he won the confidence vote, a “substantial minority” of Tory MSs (members of the Senedd) oppose him. He says this has made his position “untenable”.
Here is an extract from the resignation letter.
And here is a tweet with a link to the full letter.
There was no mention of the Parthenon marbles at the top of a meeting in Downing Street between Keir Starmer and his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
In public remarks at the start of the meeting, Starmer said he hoped to “build on our strong bilateral relationship and to talk about our common issues”.
And Mitsotakis said Greece and the UK would build on the two nations’ partnership during “turbulent times”. He said:
We see the United Kingdom as integral in addressing the security challenges that we are facing, not just in Ukraine but also in southeastern Europe and the Middle East.
Photograph: Carlos Jasso/EPA
Labour candidate suspended for betting he would lose says he was ‘badly treated’ by party as watchdog clears him
A Labour candidate who placed a bet on himself during the election campaign says he was “badly treated” by the party and is calling for politicians to be banned from gambling on elections, PA Media reports. PA says:
Kevin Craig was running to become MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich when he was suspended by the Labour party for placing a bet on himself to lose.
He has been cleared by the Gambling Commission and is now promoting a bill to bar politicians from gambling on elections so others “do not have to endure the same fate”.
The Labour Party has lifted his suspension. The Gambling Commission said it had closed its investigation into him.
Craig “acted lawfully” when he placed the bet and the gambling watchdog’s conclusion is a “complete and total exoneration”, his lawyer said in a statement.
The law prohibits placing a bet with inside information, but there is no law to prevent a politician betting on the outcome of an election in general, he said. He said the Labour candidate had no inside information, no way of knowing who would win the election, and placed frequent bets on all sorts of outcomes and events.
“It is widely recognised that some people place bets against the result they wish to happen, for example, betting against their football team. Such behaviour helps cushion the disappointment of a loss,” the lawyer said.
No investigation took place before Craig’s name was disclosed and he was publicly suspended from the Labour Party, his lawyer added.
“The first Kevin Craig knew of this matter was when he was publicly suspended and that should not have happened.”
He said there was “no precedent” for such action by the party.
“We trust that everyone will accept Kevin Craig’s exoneration and see him as the diligent, decent and honest man that he is. He has been badly treated. He will now promote a bill banning politicians from gambling on elections in order that there is clarity and others do not have to endure the same fate.”
The Conservatives won the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich seat in the July election with a majority of 4,290, down from 23,391 at the 2019 election.
