As Commonwealth heads of government prepare to convene in Samoa next week, Downing Street has confirmed that the UK will not apologize for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. This stance, maintained from the previous Conservative government, risks putting newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer on a collision course with other nations seeking reparations for the lasting impacts of slavery and colonialism.
No Apology or Reparations Planned
Despite speculation that the Labour government might break with the policies of its predecessor, a spokesperson for Number 10 stated unequivocally that neither an apology nor reparations are on the agenda for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm). This confirmation comes amid growing calls from some member states and candidates vying to become the next Commonwealth secretary-general for the UK to confront its colonial past.
The issue of reparations has gained traction in recent years, with institutions like the Church of England and the Guardian acknowledging their historical ties to slavery and pledging funds towards restorative justice initiatives. However, the UK government appears hesitant to follow suit on a national level, with former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rejecting the idea of an apology last year, arguing that “trying to unpick our history is not the right way forward.”
Labour’s Stance Sparks Concern
Labour’s decision to maintain the stance of previous Conservative governments has raised eyebrows, particularly given past statements by senior party figures. Foreign Secretary David Lammy, for example, called for reparations in 2018 when he was an opposition MP. Science and Innovation Secretary Peter Kyle acknowledged the “very, very tricky diplomatic challenges” posed by Britain’s legacy but stopped short of endorsing an apology or reparations.
“These are very, very tricky diplomatic challenges that we have as a country because of our legacy. We have to deal with them with all sensitivity.”
– Peter Kyle, Science and Innovation Secretary
The last Labour prime minister, Tony Blair, faced similar pressures during his tenure. In 2006, he called the slave trade a “crime against humanity” but fell short of issuing a formal apology. A year later, when pressed on the issue during a news conference with Ghana’s then-president John Kufuor, Blair stated: “Well actually I have said it: We are sorry. And I say it again now.”
Commonwealth Nations Push for Reparations
The UK’s reluctance to engage with the issue of reparations stands in stark contrast to the positions taken by the candidates vying to replace Patricia Scotland as Commonwealth secretary-general. Hailing from the Gambia, Ghana, and Lesotho, all three contenders have expressed support for financial reparations or other forms of “reparative justice” from countries that engaged in slavery and colonization.
This growing consensus among Commonwealth nations could lead to tense discussions at the upcoming summit, as the UK attempts to chart a path forward that acknowledges its past while avoiding what some see as the potential pitfalls of reparations. As one of the wealthiest and most influential members of the Commonwealth, Britain’s stance on this issue is likely to have significant ramifications for the organization’s future direction.
A Moment of Reckoning
As world leaders, including King Charles, gather in Samoa, the spectre of Britain’s colonial past looms large. The summit presents an opportunity for the UK to demonstrate leadership and a willingness to engage in difficult conversations about its role in the slave trade and the lasting impacts of colonialism. Whether Prime Minister Starmer and his government will rise to this challenge remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the calls for reparative justice are only growing louder, and the Commonwealth’s future may well depend on how its most powerful members choose to respond.
