Commonwealth heads of government have initiated a call for reparations for countries impacted by the transatlantic slave trade, which commenced when the UK enslaved Black people for commercialism. The claim could result in the UK paying billions of pounds due to its historical role in the transatlantic slave trade. The UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated that the UK “cannot change our history” when responding to the immediate demand for payment of compensation to countries that suffered from the transatlantic slave trade. During a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, Sir Keir highlighted the significance of a present discussion of the issue, although he ruled out a payment of compensation by the UK government. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has also said the government will not pay compensation.
Sir Keir insists Commonwealth member nations should concentrate on current issues such as withstanding climate change and raising trade between Commonwealth countries and connecting them with international financing bodies in mitigating impacts of climate change. Approximately 56 nations’ leaders were present at the Commonwealth summit in Samoa, with discussions among reparations for historical slavery expected to defy the UK government. During the event, a new Commonwealth secretary-general will also be elected. All three candidates support reparatory justice, which could be expressed through a variety of mediums, including public health support, economic support, building museums, financial compensation, debt relief, educational programs, and an official apology.
BBC Radio 4’s Today programme aired an interview with Frederick Mitchell, the foreign minister of the Bahamas, in which he alleged that he believes the UK will change its stance over compensation payments. Mitchell urged the UK’s government to offer an apology, saying “It’s a simple matter – it can be done, one sentence, one line.” Sir Keir responded that an apology for the slave trade had already been made, suggesting that it was not unwarranted. In 2007, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair apologised for slavery after discussing with the Ghanaian president.
The Labour Party’s Head, Sir Keir, also addressed concerns that President Donald Trump’s team had complained about party staff campaigning voluntarily during work hours for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. He made it clear that this is normal, as every political party has done it at one point or another, saying that it has to “be put in its proper perspective”. Sir Keir denies there were any complications between them, adding they’d had dinner recently, and he wanted to have a good working rapport with the President. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Wednesday, will set out tax and spending plans for the UK Budget. She has said she will also change the government’s self-imposed debt policy to free funds for infrastructure development. Sir Keir claimed his priority was the economy and that he would wipe the mess and make growth his primary objective. He rejected the Conservative Party’s attributing economic damages to Labour which left a black hole in the economy of £22bn, and questioned the Chancellor’s decision to change the debt law, calling it “uncertain” and bound to cause families more financial challenges
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