UK Prime Minister Open to Formal Apology for Britain’s Slave Trade Legacy, Rejects Reparations

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated he is open to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the UK for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. In a weekend op-ed for The Guardian, Burnham described the slave trade as a “brutal and barbaric violation” against enslaved people. “They were denied their humanity. They were separated from their families, treated as property and worked to their deaths,” he stated.

Burnham expressed sorrow and regret for the suffering of millions, acknowledging that the legacy of the slave trade continues to shape the world today. However, he ruled out financial reparations, saying he does not believe that is the right answer. “I do not think that British people today can be held liable for historical wrongs, however heinous, that happened in a different age under different laws and in which they played no personal part,” he said.

Instead of reparations, Burnham announced plans to launch a new initiative to restructure debt for the poorest Commonwealth countries, enabling longer repayment periods and more favorable interest rates. His remarks come ahead of a Commonwealth leaders’ summit in the Caribbean next week, where slavery and reparations are expected to dominate the agenda. Just last week, Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Botchwey suggested that a formal apology from King Charles—who will attend the summit—”wouldn’t hurt,” adding that the time has come for a serious conversation on reparations.

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