A significant internal dispute has erupted at the British Museum following a proposal from its director for a 'red, white and blue' themed fundraising ball in 2026. Staff have reportedly condemned the idea as being 'in poor taste', linking it to a recent rise in flag-hoisting campaigns across the UK that have been associated with far-right groups.
Directorial Proposal Meets Staff Backlash
Nicholas Cullinan, the director of the 272-year-old institution, suggested the colour scheme to mark the planned loan of the historic Bayeux Tapestry from Normandy next year. The theme is intended to reference both the Union Jack and the French Tricolore, symbolising the cross-Channel collaboration.
However, the Guardian understands that concerns have been raised by employees within the museum's curatorial and administrative departments. A source stated that the issue had been brought to the director and other senior staff, noting the sensitivity 'due to the current far-right flag campaigns around the country.'
The Context of the Flag Controversy
Since the summer, a campaign to display Union Jacks and other UK national flags from windows and public infrastructure has gained momentum. While framed by some as a celebration of Britishness, the movement's links have caused alarm.
One organising group, Operation Raise the Colours, accepted a donation from the far-right party Britain First, which promotes an anti-Islam and anti-immigration agenda. This connection has politicised the widespread display of national symbols, creating a fraught backdrop for the museum's proposed theme.
A Successful Precedent and Broader Criticism
The controversy follows the museum's highly successful inaugural ball in October, which had a 'pink theme' inspired by India. That event, attended by celebrities like Naomi Campbell and Sir Grayson Perry, raised over £2.5 million from tickets costing £2,000 each.
Cullinan, a 'brilliant fundraiser' who grew up in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, has faced other challenges. The first ball was co-chaired by Isha Ambani, daughter of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, drawing criticism from the campaign group Culture Unstained over the Ambani family's wealth from fossil fuels.
Experts Weigh In on the Symbolism
Professor Nick Groom, author of 'The Union Jack: The Story of the British Flag', urged the museum to proceed with its plans. He argued that cancelling the theme would be an abdication of responsibility and would effectively cede the flag's meaning to the far right.
'The only way is to resist simplistic politics that seek to impose one crude meaning on the flag and engage with its diverse history,' Groom stated, invoking George Orwell's defence of intelligent patriotism.
A British Museum spokesperson said: 'The inaugural ball was a landmark moment... We are excited to follow up this year’s success with a ball in autumn 2026 and will announce more details in due course.'
