UK Foreign Secretary says slavery apology will not increase taxpayer costs
Ed Miliband affirmed that the UK’s new Commonwealth dialogue on a slavery apology will not entail additional expenses or reparations for British taxpayers.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told the BBC that the government’s "new approach" to the Commonwealth, which includes a structured dialogue on a possible state apology for the transatlantic slave trade, will not require any extra spending by taxpayers. He rejected the idea of reparations, saying they are "not the right answer" and are not practical for the UK.
Miliband criticised former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s 2006 statement of "deep sorrow and regret" as a "sorry, not sorry" gesture that was later softened by No 10. He added that previous governments tended to "sweep under the carpet" the issue, but the current stance aims to move the Commonwealth forward.
"No… not… no. And that's – for us, that's never been what it's about," Miliband said, emphasizing that the UK will remain open to an apology while refusing to shift its position on reparations.
A YouGov poll cited in the discussion showed that 52% of Britons support an official apology, while 65% oppose paying reparations. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, speaking at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua, also ruled out reparations but announced a £40 million three-year investment for Caribbean infrastructure, including green energy.
Caribbean leaders, including St Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J Pierre and Ghana’s former president John Dramani Mahama, welcomed the dialogue, describing it as a step toward addressing the legacy of the slave trade and colonialism.