There is controversy over the unveiling of a statue of David Lloyd George in Parliament Square. Apparently it wrong to put up a statue to Lloyd George because he ordered bombings in Iraq between 1916 and 1922, which "makes today's celebration of Lloyd George's legacy highly topical and disgraceful."

What on earth are Harold Pinter, John Pilger and Denis Halliday on about in their letter to the Telegraph? Whilst Lloyd George wasn't perfect, it is hardly "disgraceful" to erect a statue of him in Parliament Square.

The reaction to Lloyd George's statue is especially remarkable in contrast with the reaction when a statue to Nelson Mandela was erected in Parliament Square. The BBC article on Mandela's statue has absolutely no mention of his less-than-salubrious past and objections to his statue because of it, whilst the article on Lloyd George has more on the opposition to his statue than support for it.

Mandela was a terrorist. No matter what the cause for which he fought, his actions ticked absolutely every box of that definition. Lloyd George, on the other hand, just authorised bombings during a war! There is no denying that Lloyd George has more right to have a statue in Parliament Square than Nelson Mandela. To start with, he was a British Prime Minister, and not a terrorist!

So why, why was there a deafening silence on opposition to Mandela's statue but the utter opposite for the far more noble and deserving Lloyd George?

Source: BBC

A statue of nelson Mandela is to be unveiled in Parliament Square

Why should a statue of Nelson Mandela be put up in Britain at all? He is not a British statesman or even an international one with any real effects on British life. Yes, he was an international and important leader in his time as South African President, but that doesn't warrant a statue paid for by the taxpayer and erected in Parliament Square.

Mandela seems to be used as a political talisman - MPs named him as their Top Political Idol back in January, and Gordon Brown welcomed him to 10 Downing Street as the "greatest and most courageous leader of our generation". To invoke the name of Nelson Mandela is almost to make opposition impossible. He is used as the figurehead of the Elders - who have yet to actually do anything since their formation - and seems to be little more than a political shield against any challenge.

How can he really be considered the equal of the other great statesmen whose statue stand in Parliament Square? He achieved some great things, but he was only in office for five years, 1994-1999. I think that the veneration of Mandela has gone too far, and the erection of this statue is an example of it.

UPDATE: Asp also has a good analysis of the same story, and points out that:

Sources: The Times, BBC