Kemi Badenoch has said an apology for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade would be a “navel-gazing distraction”, describing slavery as an evil “in which people from every continent and region participated”. Speaking to broadcasters on Sunday, Badenoch also questioned whether it was worth future leaders attending the Commonwealth summit, given that it was now dominated by calls for reparations. The Conservative leader made the comments as Andy Burnham said he was considering a formal apology, before he flies to the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) in Antigua and Barbuda next week.
In an article for the Guardian, Burnham said there would not be reparations in the form of financial compensation, but said he was prepared to engage in helping poorer countries restructure debt on more favourable terms. Badenoch said 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”. Badenoch said Burnham’s apology was unnecessary because of comments made by Tony Blair two decades ago.
Badenoch told Sky News she believed that even if an apology was offered, campaigners would see it as a step towards financial compensation. We need to start looking at how we can bring the Commonwealth together – start looking forwards, not backwards. He feels that that’s the right thing, particularly ahead of the Commonwealth leaders’ conference,” he said.
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