Jeremy (“the Dear Leader”) is like a lion, relentlessly seeking those whom he may devour.
At our meeting of the National Museum Directors’ Conference (NMDC) in January, Sir M reported he had met Jeremy at Christmas. Between mouthfuls of plum pudding, Our Glorious Leader had graciously indicated his wish that the NMDC should take full control of regional museums.
Like frogs in warm water, the Living God had said, they should at first find their environment pleasant. Only as the heat increased would they realise that they were being cooked.
We discussed how best to achieve Jeremy’s vision. Sir M advised that, following the ruling of the International Court of Human Rights in the case of Leeds Museums v the NMDC, regional directors can no longer be forced to stand naked in a barrel of horse manure. Therefore applicants would have to be selected by interview.
One member asked about the gender imbalance. Sir M agreed that, as two national museums now had female directors, there were already far too many women. But he assured us that no one really listened to them and we could always follow the PM’s lead and tell them to “calm down, dear”.
Finally Sir N, chair of the disciplinary committee, reported that the director of National Museums Merseyside had humbly requested – after his head had been held down a flushing toilet for a third time in four years – that he should be allowed to resign from the NMDC.
Sir N sharply reminded him that it was the NMDC, not individual directors, who decided whether their museum should be a member. His request was refused.
At our meeting of the National Museum Directors’ Conference (NMDC) in January, Sir M reported he had met Jeremy at Christmas. Between mouthfuls of plum pudding, Our Glorious Leader had graciously indicated his wish that the NMDC should take full control of regional museums.
Like frogs in warm water, the Living God had said, they should at first find their environment pleasant. Only as the heat increased would they realise that they were being cooked.
We discussed how best to achieve Jeremy’s vision. Sir M advised that, following the ruling of the International Court of Human Rights in the case of Leeds Museums v the NMDC, regional directors can no longer be forced to stand naked in a barrel of horse manure. Therefore applicants would have to be selected by interview.
One member asked about the gender imbalance. Sir M agreed that, as two national museums now had female directors, there were already far too many women. But he assured us that no one really listened to them and we could always follow the PM’s lead and tell them to “calm down, dear”.
Finally Sir N, chair of the disciplinary committee, reported that the director of National Museums Merseyside had humbly requested – after his head had been held down a flushing toilet for a third time in four years – that he should be allowed to resign from the NMDC.
Sir N sharply reminded him that it was the NMDC, not individual directors, who decided whether their museum should be a member. His request was refused.
