The Rest Is History 78. Statues: Parliament Square
Jul 22, 2021
Dive into the intriguing world of statues at Parliament Square! Explore the debate surrounding Winston Churchill's memorial, highlighting its complex legacy in today’s society. Discover the underrepresentation of influential leaders like Atlee and Callaghan, and the need for more diverse representation. Reflect on the importance of figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela in a space steeped in colonial history. Enjoy a humorous take on British kings and their quirks, all wrapped up in lively banter!
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Churchill's Statue Placement
- Churchill supposedly marked the spot for his statue 20 years before his death.
- The sculptor had to reduce Churchill's head size to avoid a resemblance to Mussolini.
Statue Symbolism
- Statues often become divorced from historical debates about the figures themselves.
- Churchill's statue is defaced more to provoke than to express opinions about Churchill.
Representation in Parliament Square
- Parliament Square represents British democracy, raising the question of who should be represented.
- Tom Holland suggests a symbolic representation of democratic traditions, rather than statues of divisive figures.