By Fatma Younis
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said Britain should not issue a formal apology for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, calling such a move a "navel-gazing distraction" that would be used as a lever for financial compensation.
Badenoch Calls Apology 'Navel-Gazing Distraction'
Speaking to broadcasters on Sunday, Badenoch described slavery as an evil "in which people from every continent and region participated." She questioned whether future leaders should attend the Commonwealth summit, arguing it is now dominated by calls for reparations. Badenoch insisted leaders should be "honest about the whole history, not select the parts that are politically convenient today, especially given Britain's leading role in ending the transatlantic slave trade."
Burnham Considers Formal Apology Ahead of Commonwealth Summit
Her comments came as Andy Burnham indicated he was considering a formal apology before flying to the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) in Antigua and Barbuda next week. In an article for the Guardian, Burnham said there would be no reparations in the form of financial compensation but expressed willingness to help poorer countries restructure debt on more favourable terms.
Debate Over Reparations and Financial Compensation
Badenoch argued that Burnham's apology was unnecessary because of remarks made by Tony Blair two decades ago. "The Commonwealth should be looking forward, not endlessly backwards," she posted on social media. She also asked whether Caribbean countries would demand apologies from the descendants of African kingdoms, rulers, and merchants who captured, sold, and profited from the trade.
In an interview with Sky News, Badenoch said she believed campaigners would view any apology as a step toward financial compensation. "What I'm worried about is that this Chogm summit is yet another opportunity for people to start asking Britain for money because of the slave trade," she said.
Government Position on Apology and Reparations
Chancellor John Healey told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that it would be unfair for British people to bear financial liability for reparations when they had "no role" in the slave trade. He said the prime minister is open to discussing an apology ahead of the Commonwealth leaders' conference but does not believe reparations are the right approach.
