Chancellor Rachel Reeves has stated that the UK will not be paying reparations to other countries for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. The Commonwealth heads of government are preparing to have a conversation regarding the issue, which some sources say could mean the UK owes billions of pounds. Reeves said she understands why other countries are making these demands but it is not something the UK government will commit to. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who is attending the summit, claimed that he wanted to focus on current challenges such as climate change rather than issues of the past.
Commonwealth leaders at the Samoa summit are expected to discuss reparations for historical slavery, which Downing Street insists is not on the agenda for the summit of 56 countries. However, in the run-up to the summit, the UK faced growing calls from Commonwealth leaders for the UK to apologise and make reparations for the country’s historic role in the slave trade.
The University of West Indies, backed by a judge who sits on the International Court of Justice, published a report last year stating that the UK owes more than £18tn in reparations for its role in slavery in 14 Caribbean countries. Frederick Mitchell, foreign minister of the Bahamas, believes the UK could change its stance.
Reparatory justice for slavery can come in many forms, including financial reparations, debt relief, an official apology, educational programmes, building museums, economic support, and public health assistance. Mitchell stated that member countries “want the conversation to start”, but he has noticed “a reluctance to have the conversation
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