Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

UK fails to keep language on reparations out of Commonwealth communique

26 Oct 2024 3 minute read
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking at a press conference during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. Photo Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted there had been no discussions about money at a major Commonwealth summit after the UK failed to keep language on reparations out of a joint statement signed by attending nations.

The Prime Minister downplayed the prominence of reparatory justice on the agenda of the gathering in Samoa, saying talks about climate resilience had instead been the “absolute priority” on Saturday.

Position

Speaking at a press conference at the close of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm), Sir Keir repeated his description of slavery as “abhorrent” but said that Britain’s position on paying for its role was “very, very clear”.

The Government has repeatedly ruled out offering reparations or an apology for the UK’s historical involvement in the trade.

But the final communique signed by Commonwealth leaders acknowledged calls for a discussion on the matter and said they “agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity”.

Recognition

The document said: “Heads, noting calls for discussions on reparatory justice with regard to the trans-Atlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel enslavement, and recognising the importance of this matter to member states of the Commonwealth, the majority of which share common historical experiences in relation to this abhorrent trade, chattel enslavement, the debilitation and dispossession of Indigenous People, indentureship, colonialism, blackbirding and their enduring effects, agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity.

“Heads further agreed to continue playing an active role in bringing about such inclusive conversations addressing these harms, paying special attention to women and girls, who suffered disproportionately from these appalling tragedies in the history of humanity.”

Relations

Asked whether the inclusion of such language in the final agreement showed he had lost the argument and damaged the UK’s relations with Commonwealth nations in the process, Sir Keir said: “The theme of the day was chosen by the prime minister here in Samoa, and she chose resilience and climate.

“So, I think, that gives you a clear sense of the absolute priority here, and that’s not surprising.”

He added: “I should be really clear here, in the two days we’ve been here, none of the discussions have been about money. Our position is very, very clear in relation to that.”


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
6 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
6 days ago

MP Lawyers…dumb barges moored on the Thames have a better grip of History…

Jack
Jack
6 days ago

I am currently reading a history of East Africa which points out the UK navy’s role in stopping slavery. The main slavers in the 1850s were Arabs, the main slave port was Zanzibar – then part of the Oman Empire now part of Tanzania. IF any decsions are considered about slavery then the totality should be considered including the British part in stopping slavery. My view? What hapened in the historic past happened – and was legal at the time. Get over it and move on.

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
6 days ago
Reply to  Jack

‘Totality’…That’s a Blair word…

Do read about the part the Royal Navy played and the political minefield they operated in…as I mentioned the Paddle Sloops did the heavy lifting in the mid C19 …

The Atlantic Archipelago comes to life the more you study it. Fernando Po is a good one to start with…

Anyway, if you are in you’re first year of Inter-Pol at Aber chin-up !

Do you always start a story at the end…!

Jeff
Jeff
6 days ago
Reply to  Jack

Poachers turned gamekeepers. What do you think they were doing before abolition (hint, protecting UK interests, that included a world beating slave trade). You cannot have the bit post 1807 and 1834 only and use that as your starting point. The bit before also counts.

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
6 days ago
Reply to  Jeff

Ta Jeff…

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
6 days ago
Reply to  Jack

See…History of the Liverpool Privateers (1897, 1966 ) for a balanced, for the time, account…

Visit Liverpool Pier Head and have a look at the marble in those famous buildings before you visit the Slavery Museum…

Then get in the time machine and go back to Bristol…

Last edited 6 days ago by Mab Meirion

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.