The British government is removing historic paintings from the walls of Downing Street, including William Shakespeare's XVIII. century portrait as well. According to conservative politicians, the measures are manifestations of shame for the national past stemming from the woke ideology.
Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, caused another scandal by removing the famous portrait of William Shakespeare from the wall of 10 Downing Street. The painting, created by Louis Francois Roubiliac and a copy of the famous Chandos portrait, no longer adorns the official residence of the British government, but gathers dust in a warehouse.
The news of the removal caused enormous outrage in conservative circles, many of whom consider it an attack on culture and a shameful suppression of national identity.
Former Culture Secretary Sir Oliver Dowden sharply criticized Starmer's decision , saying:
The prime minister proclaimed his patriotism during the elections, but now that the campaign is over, the left's sense of shame is winning over our past.
The politician specifically highlighted that, in addition to Shakespeare, portraits of iconic figures such as Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh and William Ewart Gladstone were also removed.
The Prime Minister's actions appear as an attack on the greatest figures in British history in the eyes of the Conservatives. Robert Jenrick, the leading candidate for the Conservative Party, said:
We should be proud of our history and great figures, not ashamed of it. No other nation would behave like this.
Downing Street has not officially commented on the removal of the paintings, but it is clear that as part of the government's art collection, the paintings play a central role in the preservation and presentation of Britain's cultural heritage.
Artists considered among history's greatest are suddenly marginalized by an ideological wave that calls into question the cornerstones of national identity.
Critics on the left say these figures have become symbols of British colonialism and slavery, and their removal is a necessary step towards historical justice.
According to the Conservatives, this trend leads to the deliberate suppression of British culture and historical heritage, which could damage the country's identity and national self-awareness in the long term.
We should not be ashamed of who we are and be proud of the great personalities who shaped our nation
Jenrick said.
An ever-deepening division in British society can be felt in connection with the culture wars, and it seems that Keir Starmer's administration will further deepen this gap, Magyar Nemzet wrote.
Cover image: Pixabay
