UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has said Britain should not apologise for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, arguing that such a move would become a “navel-gazing distraction” and could be used to seek financial compensation.
Advertisements
Her comments came as UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was considering a formal apology ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.
Advertisements
Badenoch described slavery as an evil in which people from every continent and region participated. She argued that Britain should be honest about the full history, including its leading role in ending the transatlantic slave trade.
In a social-media post, she asked whether Caribbean countries seeking a British apology would also demand one from the descendants of African kingdoms, rulers, and merchants who captured, sold, and profited from the trade.
She said she opposed reparations through cash payments or debt relief, warning that such demands could become a route to financial claims against Britain.
Burnham said there would be no reparations in the form of financial compensation, but expressed willingness to help poorer countries restructure their debts on more favourable terms.
He said he was open to discussing a formal apology, particularly ahead of the Commonwealth summit, but did not believe reparations were the right approach.
UK Chancellor John Healey supported the Prime Minister’s position, saying it would be unfair for British people to bear financial liability for events that occurred hundreds of years ago and in which they played no role.
Badenoch also questioned whether it was worthwhile for future leaders to attend Commonwealth summits, saying the meetings had become dominated by calls for reparations. She urged the Commonwealth to focus on the future rather than “endlessly backwards.”
Advertisements
