There should be a term in anthropology for what happens to a certain type of Tory male in middle age. The type who after decades of espousing often unpopular causes suddenly attempts to ingratiate himself with the masses. Ordinarily this breakdown expresses itself in a desire to legalise drugs, but it can take other forms.
If you become the chairman of the British Museum, there is one rather obvious way to try to please people
Anyway, the moment that George Osborne was made chairman of the British Museum I expected what has come to pass.

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