'Bright'ening up Birmingham Museum

The Birmingham Post has reported that the refurbished statue of social reformer John Bright MP has been unveiled at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery following its refurbishment, Refurbished statue of social reformer John Bright MP has been unveiled at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

The statue has been extensively cleaned and restored, Bright future - restoring statue to 'democratic son of the people' , following an agreement between MP Bill Cash, the city council, and the museum to restore it in time for the approaching bicentenary of his birth in 2011.

“The restoration is a historical step to restoring Bright in his rightful place,” he said. “In my opinion he rates with the greatest statesman that this country has ever had.”
Bright’s belief in political freedom and reform inspired both Abraham Lincoln and Joseph Chamberlain after serving as an MP in the city for 30 years. His campaign which led to the passing of the Reform Act of 1867 extending voting rights to the working class. http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2009/10/26/refurbished-statue-of-social-reformer-john-bright-mp-has-been-unveiled-at-birmingham-museum-art-gallery-65233-25012916/

Image of the statue reproduced from Public sculpture of Birmingham By George Thomas Noszlopy edited by Jeremy Beach.