As British Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa this week, he finds himself confronted with escalating demands to confront the United Kingdom’s colonial past and engage in meaningful discussions about slavery reparations. The issue has emerged as a focal point for many Commonwealth nations, particularly those in the Caribbean, who argue that Britain has a moral and legal obligation to address the enduring socioeconomic impacts of the transatlantic slave trade.
Caribbean Leaders Urge Starmer to “Engage” on Reparations
Leading the charge is Sir Hilary Beckles, the distinguished Caribbean historian who chairs the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission. In a strongly worded piece for the Guardian, Beckles articulated the region’s call for the British government and institutions to “engage in a compassionate, intergenerational strategy to support postcolonial reconstruction.” He emphasized that global calls for reparations are only growing louder and questioned why Britain continues to resist the conversation.
While imperial Britain soared to sustainable economic development and global military superpower status, the enslaved and their descendants were left to this day with enduring pain, persistent poverty and systemic suffering.
Sir Hilary Beckles, Chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission
The Case for Reparations
Beckles argues that there is an undeniable legal, ethical, and moral justification for slavery reparations. He points to the immense wealth Britain accrued from the forced labor of an estimated 20 million enslaved Africans over a 200-year period. This “black debt,” as coined by Nobel laureate economist Arthur Lewis, laid the foundation for Britain’s economic ascent while leaving formerly enslaved populations mired in intergenerational poverty and trauma.
The CARICOM Reparations Commission has put forward a 10-point plan for reparatory justice, which includes not only financial compensation but also formal apologies, educational and cultural initiatives, and development programs aimed at addressing the persistent inequalities in Caribbean societies. Beckles stresses that negotiations on this plan should be “inevitable” given the growing global consensus around the legitimacy of reparations claims.
Starmer’s Stance Draws Criticism
Despite this mounting pressure, Keir Starmer has thus far resisted putting reparations on the official CHOGM agenda, insisting that the Commonwealth should focus on “facing real challenges on things like climate in the here and now.” This position has drawn sharp criticism from Caribbean leaders, with the foreign minister of the Bahamas asserting that it is “only a matter of time” before Starmer is forced to change his stance.
It is unusual to us because you’ve got the Labour party in power. We thought the Conservative party would be the progenitor of [resisting reparations], and that Labour would certainly change its position on this.
Frederick Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Bahamas
The Road Ahead
As the Commonwealth summit unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Starmer will heed the growing calls to confront Britain’s colonial legacy and earnestly engage with the issue of slavery reparations. Advocates argue that the Commonwealth, an organization born from the ashes of empire, has a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead the way in addressing historical injustices and charting a more equitable future for all member nations.
The eyes of the world will be watching as Keir Starmer and other Commonwealth leaders grapple with this weighty issue. Will the summit mark a turning point in the long fight for reparatory justice, or will the cries for acknowledgment and restitution continue to echo unheard? For the millions of descendants of enslaved Africans across the Caribbean and beyond, the stakes could not be higher.
