Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under increasing pressure to reconsider the UK’s refusal to address reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.
A growing number of voices within his party and from Caribbean nations are urging him to take a more proactive stance as the government prepares for a pivotal confrontation with a Caricom delegation in 2025.
The pressure comes as the Prime Minister embarks on a trip to Samoa for a significant Commonwealth summit. Leaders from 56 member nations will elect the next Commonwealth Secretary-General. All three candidates vying for the position have openly called for reparations to nations impacted by slavery and colonialism.
Caricom, which represents 15 Caribbean states, has long pushed for reparations and has formally set out its demands in a 10-point plan. In 2025, the organization is expected to present an updated list of reparatory demands to the UK.
However, Downing Street has firmly rejected the issue. A government spokesperson clarified that reparations are “not on the agenda” for the summit and that they “won’t be offering an apology.” Despite this stance, the matter continues to gain momentum, particularly as Labour MPs like Bell Ribeiro-Addy have voiced dissatisfaction with the government’s refusal to engage on the issue.
Labour MPs Challenge Government’s Colonial Stance
Ribeiro-Addy, Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, called the government’s position “disappointing,” stating that it reflected old “colonial attitudes.” She argued that dismissing the issue entirely disregards the concerns of countries the UK considers equals. “To say we don’t want to talk about it at all kind of harks back to colonial attitudes,” she remarked, urging the government to reconsider its stance.
Several other Labour MPs, including Clive Lewis, Nadia Whittome, Marsha de Cordova, and former minister Dawn Butler, have also called for a change in approach. They argue that ignoring reparations not only risks damaging relations with the Caribbean but also perpetuates historical injustices that have yet to be fully acknowledged.
Despite these growing calls, Keir Starmer remains steadfast. On Monday, his official spokesperson reiterated that reparations would not be a topic of discussion at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. “The government’s position on this has not changed, we do not pay reparations,” the spokesperson said.
The Prime Minister’s office added that the summit would focus on “shared challenges and opportunities” faced by Commonwealth nations, including economic growth. When asked about the possibility of offering an apology for Britain’s involvement in the slave trade, the response was equally resolute: “The position on apology remains the same, we won’t be offering an apology at CHOGM.”
Foreign Secretary’s Past Stance Adds Pressure
The tension surrounding the reparations debate intensified with the resurfacing of footage showing Foreign Secretary David Lammy, a key member of Starmer’s team, voicing support for reparations during his time as a backbench MP. Lammy’s past statements highlight the growing divide within the Labour Party over the issue and raise questions about the government’s ability to maintain a unified stance.
As the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary prepare to meet with representatives from Caricom in Samoa, the issue is expected to take center stage.
Caricom has consistently advocated for reparatory justice, and its demands are likely to dominate discussions during the summit. Leaders from the region are anticipated to push the UK to take concrete steps towards addressing the legacy of slavery and colonialism.
The debate around reparations has intensified in recent years, with academics and legal experts weighing in on the potential financial obligations. In 2023, Patrick Robinson, a judge at the International Court of Justice, released a report estimating that the UK could owe as much as £18.8 trillion for its involvement in slavery across 14 countries.
Dr. Michael Banner of Trinity College Cambridge also made headlines earlier this year, suggesting that the UK’s reparations bill could reach £205 billion.
As such, while there is no sign of a shift in policy, the growing internal and external pressure could force Starmer to confront the issue in the months ahead.
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