Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor, stated he is open to calls for the United Kingdom to issue a formal apology for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.
In a Friday opinion piece for The Guardian, Burnham described the slave trade as a “brutal and savage violation” against enslaved individuals.
“They were denied their humanity. They were separated from their families, treated as property and worked to their deaths,” Burnham said.
“I want to express my sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of so many millions of people, and to recognise the way it still shapes our world today.”
Although some groups advocate for monetary compensation, the leader stated that he does not view direct financial payouts as the proper approach.
Instead, Burnham announced a new initiative to restructure debt for the most vulnerable Commonwealth nations, helping them repay loans over longer terms and at reduced interest rates.
These statements come ahead of next week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in the Caribbean, where slavery and reparations will feature prominently on the agenda.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey stated last week that the time has come for a serious conversation on reparations, adding that a public apology from King Charles—who will attend the heads of state conference—would present no harm.
Backstory…
Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade has remained a contentious issue, with Caribbean nations and African leaders demanding an apology and reparations for centuries of exploitation.
Although Britain abolished the slave trade in 1807 and slavery across most of its empire in 1833, it compensated slave owners rather than the formerly enslaved.
Calls for reparatory justice gained renewed momentum at the 2024 Commonwealth summit in Samoa, where member states agreed that discussions on reparations should begin.
