The United Kingdom has agreed to participate in 'structured, time-bound, inclusive, and good-faith discussions' to address the 'historical harms' of the transatlantic slave trade, Commonwealth leaders announced. In a joint statement, the group of nations declared that the time had come for a 'meaningful, honest, and respectful conversation, aimed at forging a common future based on equality', citing the British government's commitment to enter into dialogue with affected parties. [2] [1]
Prime Minister Andy Burnham opened the door to a formal apology from the United Kingdom for its role in the slave trade, but ruled out the prospect of direct compensation. At his first meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth (CHOGM), held in Antigua, Burnham used the platform to promise to listen to other member states and promote a 'new approach' to the organization, after the previous 2024 summit saw Downing Street resist calls for an apology, preferring to focus on the future of the group. [2] [1]
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband suggested that the dialogue process could be concluded within a year. When asked whether the government could reach the point of a formal apology before hosting the G20 leaders' summit in Manchester in November of next year, Miliband responded: 'Broadly, yes.' He insisted that British taxpayers would not pay a single additional penny as a result of the shift in position, although he criticized previous governments for attempts to 'sweep under the carpet' the issue of slavery and mentioned a 'verbal punch-up' at the last meeting, a conflict the government wishes to avoid. [2]
Miliband also criticized what he described as a 'sorry, not sorry' statement from former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who in 2006 expressed 'pain and deep regret' for Britain's involvement in the slave trade, but stopped short of offering formal apologies. Alongside this, Prime Minister Burnham rejected the idea of paying reparations, but said he wished to explore ways to help poorer countries struggling with debt. As part of this initiative, the United Kingdom will allocate £40 million over three years, drawn from existing budgets, to accelerate investment in critical infrastructure, including green energy in the Caribbean. [2] [1]
Calls for an apology and for reparations have increased in recent years. The Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, president of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), stated that the economic and political block was 'ready to engage' in the 'structured dialogue' proposed by Burnham. The summit coincided with the visit of King Charles, Head of the Commonwealth, to the Caribbean. The monarch addressed the legacy of slavery at the opening of the meeting, telling leaders it is a 'shameful chapter in history' that 'fills his heart with horror and his soul with deep personal sadness'. [2]
However, there is internal opposition. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch urged the prime minister not to apologize for slavery, claiming that doing so would give countries a reason to demand reparations. She stated: 'I don't believe we should offer money to compensate people for the slave trade, and I don't believe Andy Burnham should apologize, because this is a lever to open the door to asking for money'. [2]
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