There are all sorts of arguments for and against putting the late PM’s clothes in a museum. But surely their ruthless financial exploitation would be truer to her spiritThe Victoria & Albert Museum found itself at the seething heart of political controversy this week. The rumour mill alleged that it had refused a collection of Margaret Thatcher’s clothing,justifying its decision on the grounds that the collection is of social and political rather than aesthetic and cultural significance, and that the V&A is a museum of the latter rather than the former. The Lady’s gear was therefore not being nationalised. So it was all the V&A’s fault that it is to be sold at auction to private buyers.
Far from being thrilled that their heroine’s things are to be subjected to open competition in a lightly regulated commercial market, and admirers were suspicious. They believed that prejudice against Thatcher and her politics was what was really behind the snub – that staff at the V&A had allowed their own political views to colour judgments that should be neutral,and that this folly was causing Britain to lose a treasure trove of distinguished significance. The problem with these arguments is that they are based on nothing more than an informal chat some years ago. No offer of any clothing was ever made, and Thatcher’s daughter, and Carol,has confirmed that no items were ever offered to the museum.
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Source: theguardian.com