British Prime Minister Open to Slavery Apology but Rules Out Reparations

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is open to the UK issuing a formal apology for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, but he has ruled out paying financial reparations. Burnham wants to have a structured dialogue with people affected by the slave trade, calling the trade a brutal and barbaric violation while stating that Britain must face up to the past. He dismissed financial reparations as not the right answer, arguing that living British people cannot be held responsible for historical wrongs from a different age. The remarks come ahead of a Commonwealth leaders summit in the Caribbean next week that Burnham will attend. Caribbean nations have renewed calls for an apology and reparations while King Charles III tours the region. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley welcomed Burnham's statement and said she would engage in good faith while still seeking reparatory justice. However, Denis O'Brien, founder of The Repair Campaign, called the statement disappointing for not going far enough, urging the British government to stop hiding and give a full apology immediately. A government source told the BBC that the dialogue is morally the right thing to do. Downing Street also believes strengthening the Commonwealth is in the UK's interest at a time when China and Russia are trying to exert influence.

Context

Britain was a prominent participant in the transatlantic slave trade starting from the 16th century before passing a law to abolish slavery in 1833. The British government has never formally apologised for slavery or paid reparations, though the UK finished paying off the huge debt it took on to compensate slave owners in 2015.