OMM Newsroom
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was open to a formal state apology for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, but rejected financial reparations.
In an opinion piece published by “The Guardian” ahead of next week’s Commonwealth heads of government meeting, Burnham expressed “sorrow and regret” for the suffering of millions of people subjected to slavery, Anadolu Agency reported.
“The transatlantic slave trade was a brutal and barbaric violation of those people. They were denied their humanity,” he wrote.
Burnham said enslaved people were separated from their families, treated as property and worked to their deaths. He said he wanted to acknowledge the pain and suffering of millions and recognise how slavery continues to shape the world.
Preparing to attend next week’s Commonwealth summit in the Caribbean, Burnham said Britain would offer structured dialogue with affected countries and campaign groups.
“Listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state will form an important part of this process and I am open to them,” he wrote.
However, Burnham ruled out financial compensation for Britain’s historical involvement in slavery.
“I do not believe that is the right answer,” he wrote, adding that he did not think people in Britain today could be held liable for historical wrongs committed in a different era under different laws, in which they had played no personal part.
Instead, Burnham announced an initiative to restructure the debt of the poorest Commonwealth countries. He said former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown would lead the initiative, which is expected to involve international organisations.
Burnham said debt-servicing costs in these countries had reached their highest level in more than 25 years. According to figures he cited, more than 40% of the poorest Commonwealth countries now spend more on interest repayments than on health.
“The Britain I believe in is confident, decent and brave,” Burnham wrote. “We led the world in abolishing slavery – and we can show leadership again today.”
