A group of influential Thatcherites has united to support the creation of a Brexit museum, aiming to provide a counterbalance to what they perceive as the European Union's "one-sided narrative" on the subject. This initiative, backed by former Cabinet members Lord Lamont and Lord Lilley, seeks to preserve and present the history of Brexit from a more balanced perspective.
The supporters argue that without such a museum, the Brexit story risks being "rewritten from one biased vantage point" by Brussels-funded institutions. They point out that the EU has invested significantly in presenting its version of events, including the House of European History in Brussels, which opened in 2017 and employs nearly 60 staff members.
In contrast to the EU's well-funded efforts, the proposed Brexit museum aims to operate on a much smaller scale. The funding drive targets between £1 million and £1.5 million, sufficient to acquire a building in a major city outside London with good transport links. This modest approach is seen as a strategic move to create a "counterweight and a challenge to any one-sided narrative."
The museum's supporters include a diverse group of prominent figures. Lord Frost, who played a crucial role in Brexit negotiations, and actor Edward Fox, known for his support of the Leave campaign, have lent their backing. The initiative also enjoys cross-party support, with Lord Owen, a former Labour foreign secretary, and Graham Stringer, a Labour MP, joining the cause.
"What's needed is a fair and balanced museum, accessibly based in the UK. Something that doesn't just assume that EU integration is unquestionably a good thing, and Brexit has been merely a brief and irrational aberration."
The proposed museum aims to cover not only the EU referendum and subsequent Brexit talks but also a broader history of UK relations with Europe. This approach aligns with the complex history of UK-EU relations, which dates back to the UK's joining of the European Economic Community in 1973, long before the formal establishment of the EU in 1993.
Plans for the museum also include an exhibition on the "special relationship" between the UK and the United States, highlighting the historical significance of these ties. This concept, popularized by Winston Churchill in 1946, has been a cornerstone of British foreign policy for decades.
The supporters emphasize that the museum will strive to tell the Brexit story in a fair and balanced manner. They envision it as a place where people from all sides of the debate can visit to better understand the various perspectives on what was often a heated and divisive issue.
As the project moves forward, it stands as a testament to the ongoing impact of Brexit on British political discourse, nearly five years after the UK's official departure from the EU on January 31, 2020. The museum, if realized, will join the ranks of institutions dedicated to preserving and interpreting this significant chapter in British and European history.