Starmer’s Response to Slavery Reparation Talks is Insulting to Commonwealth Countries.

The unveiling of a blue plaque at the University of Leeds last month occurred shortly before Keir Starmer’s visit to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. Whilst the plaque celebrated the city’s proud anti-slavery history, our country’s leaders remain reluctant to discuss our role in the slave trade. 

After 15 Caribbean countries agreed to table reparations at the meeting, Starmer responded by confirming that the discussion would not be on the agenda, claiming “we should look forward, not backwards.” A statement that can only be seen as hollow coming from the Prime Minister of Great Britain – a country that loves to focus on its history. 

It must be pointed out that British leaders never shy away from the UK’s involvement in slavery when it comes to congratulating ourselves for being one of the first countries to abolish it or, in other words, do the very bare minimum. Seriously, how often is it that criminals escape prison time for simply ceasing to commit crime? If reparations are the act or process of making amends for a wrong, isn’t it only right that our country at least engage in conversation about it?

Of course, as we have heard time and time again recently, the country is in a dire state economically and conversations about reparations undoubtedly make everyone concerned that this is going to be another strain that deepens the cost-of-living crisis. However, it comes across as incredibly arrogant tooutrightly refuse even discussing what reparations could look like for both sides, especially considering that no British leader or monarch has ever so much as apologised for the atrocities that occurred at our country’s hands. 

This is also worsened by the fact that Britain has already paid reparations since the abolition of slavery- but to former slave owners. In 1833 the country paid up to £20 million to compensate plantation owners and UK taxpayers only finished paying off the loan taken to make these payments in 2015.

The Labour leader’s vetoing of reparation discussions means the party’s policies on this issue align with those of the previous Tory Government, which also rejected calls for payouts. In footage from 2018 the then backbench Labour MP David Lammy expressed support for Britain compensating Caribbean countries, claiming: “I’m afraid as Caribbean people we are not going to forget our history – we don’t just want to hear an apology, we want reparation.” Now the Foreign Secretary, Lammy supports the Prime Minister’s decision not to discuss the issue, making the party look insincere in its response to such a weighted issue. If Labour were still the opposition, would they have the same opinion or would they take the opportunity to criticise the Tories?

Reparations can take many forms, financial or symbolic, so there really is no excuse for ignoring calls to discuss. For the leader of a country whose infrastructure benefitted immensely from slavery, and who are still yet to issue an official apology for their role, Starmer’s comments are insulting to those nations who suffered so much under British control.

Words by Anna Whyte

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