Prime Minister Keir Starmer confronted the contentious issue of slavery reparations while addressing Commonwealth leaders at a summit in Samoa this week. Flanked by the heads of state of Uganda and Tanzania, Starmer acknowledged the “hard” shared history of the Commonwealth nations, many of which are grappling with the painful legacy of Britain’s colonial past.
“I understand the strength of feeling about the issue of reparations,” Starmer said, treading carefully on a topic that has divided opinion among the 56 member states of the Commonwealth. “It’s important that we acknowledge our history, but also that we work together to make sure the future is not in the shadow of the past.”
Calls for Reparatory Justice Grow Louder
The question of whether Britain owes reparations to its former colonies for the slave trade has been bubbling under the surface for decades. But in recent years, as global movements for racial justice have gained momentum, the demands have grown louder and more insistent.
Leaders from Caribbean and African Commonwealth nations have been particularly vocal in pushing for the issue to be on the agenda at this year’s summit. According to sources close to the negotiations, the UK has conceded that a reference to “reparatory justice” could be included in the final communique – though officials stress this would not necessarily signal a shift in Britain’s long-held position against paying reparations.
A “Constructive Dialogue” on Slavery’s Legacy
While stopping short of committing to direct compensation, Starmer sought to strike a conciliatory tone, promising to host a dedicated UK-Caribbean forum to address the enduring impact of slavery. “We want to have a constructive dialogue with the leaders of the nations most affected by this painful history,” he said. “Only by facing up to the past can we build a future of true partnership and equality.”
Details of the proposed forum remain sketchy, but insiders suggest it could involve initiatives to promote economic development, educational exchanges, and cultural ties between Britain and the Caribbean. Whether this will be enough to satisfy those calling for more concrete measures to atone for historical injustices remains to be seen.
Domestic Pressure and Economic Realities
Starmer’s tentative overtures on the slavery issue reflect the domestic pressures and economic realities he faces back home. With the UK still recovering from the shock of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, the prospect of paying out vast sums in reparations is politically unpalatable for many Britons.
“The Prime Minister is walking a tightrope,” said a senior Whitehall official who asked not to be named. “He wants to show that he’s listening to the concerns of the Commonwealth, but he also has to be mindful of how this will play with voters who are already feeling the squeeze.”
Even among those sympathetic to the cause of reparatory justice, there are doubts about the practicalities of such a vast undertaking. Historians estimate that Britain transported over 3 million Africans into slavery between the 16th and 19th centuries, a crime whose reverberations are still felt today in poverty, inequality, and racism faced by descendants of the enslaved.
Calculating an appropriate sum for reparations, let alone deciding how it should be distributed, would be a hugely complex task fraught with moral and logistical challenges. Some have called for a Marshall Plan-style program of aid and investment for the Caribbean and Africa, while others argue that nothing short of full-scale wealth redistribution can begin to compensate for centuries of exploitation.
The Road Ahead for the Commonwealth
As the Commonwealth summit winds to a close, it’s clear that the issue of slavery reparations will not be easily resolved. Starmer’s promise of a UK-Caribbean forum may help keep the dialogue alive, but many activists fear it will simply be a talking shop that fails to deliver meaningful change.
“We’ve heard plenty of fine words over the years, but precious little action,” said one delegate from Jamaica. “If Britain is serious about making amends, it needs to put its money where its mouth is.”
For now, the Commonwealth remains a loose association of nations bound together by a shared history – one that is a source of both pride and pain. As it looks to redefine its role in the 21st century, grappling with the ghosts of Empire will be an unavoidable part of that journey. Whether Starmer’s cautiousapproach can chart a path forward for the organization, balancing the desire for justice with the imperative of unity, only time will tell.
But as one African proverb teaches: “Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” For the Commonwealth to truly reckon with its past and build a fairer future, the voices of those nations scarred by slavery and colonialism must be heard – and heeded.
