V&A museum criticised for listing Margaret Thatcher as 'contemporary villain' alongside Osama bin Laden and Hitler
The V&A Museum has been criticised after Margaret Thatcher was described as a “contemporary villain” alongside Hitler and Osama Bin Laden in an exhibit.
The late Conservative Prime Minister is described as a villain in a display on British humour throughout the ages.
The exhibition text appeared under a set of Punch and Judy dolls.
It reads: “Over the years, the evil character in this seaside puppet show has shifted from the Devil to unpopular public figures including Adolf Hitler, Margaret Thatcher and Osama bin Laden, to offer contemporary villains.”
A Spitting Image puppet of Britain’s first female Prime Minister also appears in the display at the museum in South Kensington’s Cromwell Road.
Sir Connor Burns, Conservative MP for Bournemouth, said: “Whoever wrote that caption should be called out publicly for being a moron, or perhaps more usefully sent to read a Ladybird book of modern world history.
“It is sadly symptomatic of the woke, luvvie-dom nonsense that persists in our public institutions.
“They should be given a serious rap across the knuckles and a clarion instruction to grow up.”
It was also criticised by former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who said it was “ill thought” and “mendacious”.
A V&A spokesperson said the museum would be reviewing the exhibition text and making changes “if necessary”.
“The V&A is always open to feedback from our visitors,” said the spokesperson.
“In response to some concerns around a caption in the Punch and Judy case of our Laughing Matters display – telling the story of British satire and comedy – we will review the relevant label text and update the wording if necessary.”
The Victoria and Albert, whose director is former Labour MP Tristram Hunt, was previously criticised after refusing to accept a selection of Thatcher’s suits and handbags.
The museum “politely” refused the items, saying it collected only items of “outstanding aesthetic or technical quality” rather than those with “intrinsic social historical value”.
