Cutting arts budgets will cost Britain dearly in the long run

London, UK

Classical Music News for 2010-07-31

I was always rather a fan of Jeremy Hunt when he was in Opposition. He seemed thoughtful and actually interested in the arts – not always a prerequisite for past Ministers of Culture. But now he's in Government. I heard him speak at a lunch a few weeks ago and it was disappointing. Reading his interview in this paper last Saturday, my disappointment turned to dismay. An arts minister should, above all, seek to act as a champion for the arts among a political class which has rarely been enthusiastic about them. In France, politicians take obvious pride in the country's cultural achievements; it is seldom the case here. I want to hear Jeremy Hunt say that he knows he will come under pressure from the Treasury, but that he will chain himself naked to the railings in Downing Street to defend the minute percentage of the national budget that is devoted to the arts. Instead, the apparent relish with which he announces Armageddon is deeply unattractive. (Telegraph)

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