Sir Keir Starmer has firmly stated that Britain will not be considering the possibility of paying slavery reparations. This statement comes as he gears up for a significant Commonwealth summit, where the topic is reportedly not on the agenda, as confirmed by Downing Street.
In response to inquiries about compensating for Britain’s colonial past, the Prime Minister’s office stated on Monday that the country does not provide reparations.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has once again emphasized the importance of reparations, urging Britain to take responsibility for its past wrongdoings.
During a recent United Nations event, she emphasized that the figures have undergone thorough examination by numerous experts. According to her findings, the estimated compensation, precisely $5 trillion dollars, would be required to achieve fair remuneration for all individuals.
During a meeting at Buckingham Palace earlier this month, Ms. Mottley had the opportunity to discuss the matter with King Charles III.
Three candidates vying for the position of secretary-general of the 56-nation Commonwealth – Shirley Botchwey of Ghana, Joshua Setipa of Lesotho, and Mamadou Tangara of Gambia – have expressed their support for reparations concerning transatlantic slavery and colonialism. The decision regarding the new secretary-general will be made during the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.
In a recently rediscovered video, David Lammy, the foreign secretary, expressed his support for compensation measures to address Britain’s involvement in the slave trade. This was during his time as a backbench Labour MP, following the Windrush scandal.
“I’m afraid that as Caribbean people, we will not simply forget our history. It’s not enough for us to just hear an apology; we are seeking reparation,” expressed Mr. Lammy in a recorded conversation from 2018.
In response to questions regarding the seeming inconsistency of his remarks, Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s stance was supported by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. Kyle, during an interview with LBC, emphasized that Lammy’s previous statements were made prior to his appointment as Foreign Secretary. He further clarified that Lammy now represents the Labour Government, which is a new administration.
Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on Afrikan reparations, believes that the UK has a moral obligation to confront its history.
“The UK bears a moral responsibility to address reparative justice.”
For centuries, members of the British royal family, UK governments, and aristocratic families have been implicated in the trafficking and sale of millions of African people for profit.
The ships brought back slave-grown products such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton to Britain. These products were sold for profit, contributing to the growth of Britain’s economy and infrastructure. Additionally, they enriched the coffers of upper-class families.