Then prime minister Boris Johnson and other ministers denounced this as censorship of history while activists and some public figures said the glorification of such figures in public spaces had to end. The culture ministry's new guidance said custodians of contested statues and monuments should comply with the government's policy to "retain and explain". The guidance, which applies to structures in public spaces but not inside museums, said explanations could include alternative media and creative approaches, not just texts. The Conservatives say they are fighting a far-left agenda that seeks to denigrate Britain and its history. The controversies echoed debates in other countries, notably the United States where historic statues honouring leaders of Confederate States from the Civil War era have also been contested and removed.

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Persons: Cecil Rhodes, George Floyd, Eddie Keogh, Boris Johnson, Lucy Frazer, Edward Colston, Robert Milligan, Estelle Shirbon, Gareth Jones Organizations: Oriel College, REUTERS, Conservative, Labour Party, Conservatives, Thomson Locations: Minneapolis, Oxford, Britain, Bristol, stoke, London, United States, Confederate