Keir Starmer calls on leaders to shake off ‘shadow of the previous’ amid reparations row

Keir Starmer has urged Commonwealth leaders to shake off the “shadow of the past” as the UK faces pressure to pay reparations for its role in the slave trade.

The Prime Minister said he understood the strength of feeling over the “harms and injustices of the past”. But he said the focus must be on “looking forwards, not back”.

The row over financial compensation for slavery and Britain’s colonial past has loomed large over the PM’s visit to the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Samoa. No10 has insisted it’s not on the agenda but leaders from several Commonwealth countries, including the Bahamas’ prime minister Philip Davis, have said debate about the past was vital.

Speaking to leaders on Friday, Mr Starmer said: “We must also acknowledge our shared history – especially when it’s hard. I understand the strength of feeling here and that there are some calls to face up to the harms and injustices of the past through reparatory justice.

“The UK believes the most effective way to maintain a spirit of respect and dignity is by working together to make sure the future is not in the shadow of the past, but is illuminated by it. And that’s why next year we will host the UK-Caribbean forum, focused on looking forward, not back.”

Several Commonwealth leaders have been pushing for the UK to apologise for slavery and make reparations. But the UK is pushing back on attempts to reference it in a joint communique at the end of the summit on Saturday. All 56 countries must agree the wording.