The legacy of the transatlantic slave trade has dominated Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first trip to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua
British people have endorsed Andy Burnham’s stance to consider an apology for slavery but oppose reparations as the Prime Minister held crunch talks with Commonwealth leaders.
The legacy of the transatlantic slave trade has dominated the PM’s first trip to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua. Ahead of the summit, Mr Burnham signalled he is open to a formal apology for Britain’s vile role in the trade of enslaved people but has been clear reparations are not on the table.
A poll for YouGov found Brits support issuing an official apology for Britain’s role in the slave trade by 52% to 37%. But 65% are opposed to paying reparations to affected countries, with only 21% in favour.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband reiterated that British taxpayers will not pay a penny more as a result of Mr Burnham’s “new approach” to the Commonwealth. Speaking to BBC Newscast, he accused previous governments of a “sweep under the carpet” approach to slavery but ruled out extra financial contributions.
Asked if taxpayers would contribute more, he said: “No. And that’s – for us, that’s never been what it’s about. And that’s why it’s been important that you know, and I did have this conversation with our partners in advance. I said, ‘look, we are going to say we are willing to say that we’re open to an apology, but we’re not going to shift our position on reparations.’
“It’s not for us. It’s not the right answer. It’s not practical. It’s not feasible for us, but there are things we can work on co-operatively.”
He added: “And you know there’s been a lot of acceptance of that, and I mean people have been honestly a bit bruised by the past, what happened in the past, the sense that we just really just wanted to sweep this issue under the carpet and not confront it.
“My sense is there’s a bit of a sigh of relief that OK well at least you know at least there’s a sense of we’ve got a shared interest now in moving the Commonwealth on.”
He also criticised what he described as a “sorry, not sorry” from Sir Tony Blair, who in 2006 expressed “deep sorrow and regret” for Britain’s involvement in the slave trade but stopped short of an official apology.
Commonwealth members have welcomed the shift in position on an apology from the British state. A communique to be signed at the end of the summit is expected to welcome the UK’s promise of structured dialogue over the issue.
Music-mad Mr Burnham tried his hand at playing the steel drum on Wednesday, performing a rendition of Mary Had a Little Lamb alongside the Hell’s Gate steel orchestra.
Director Khan Cordice told him “you’re a musician”, to which Mr Burnham replied: “I play a little music.” He was later joined by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband for a duet.
The PM previously showed off his skills when he was handed a guitar by a Ukrainian soldier on a visit to Kyiv, playing “Rusholme Ruffians” by The Smiths.
:: YouGov surveyed 2,258 adults living in Great Britain between November 2 and 3 ::