Britain “cannot change our history”, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC when asked about paying reparations to countries affected by the transatlantic slave trade.
The comments came after a diplomatic source told the BBC that the Commonwealth head of government wanted to start a “meaningful conversation” on the issue which could mean Britain paying billions of pounds for its historic role in the trade.
Sir Keir, who is currently in Samoa for a meeting of Commonwealth nations, said the trade was “abhorrent” and it was important to “discuss our history”.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves refused to pay, in an interview on Thursday, saying “it’s not what this government does”.
Sir Keir said the focus should be on “current challenges” including resilience in the face of climate change and improving trade between Commonwealth countries.
He added that he wants to help member states work with international financial institutions to “unlock money that can help” on climate change.
Leaders from 56 countries attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Samoa on Friday and Saturday.
Commonwealth leaders are expected to challenge Britain and debate ways to secure reparations for historical slavery. At its height, England was the largest slave trading nation in the world. Downing Street had problems not being on the summit’s agenda.
Reparatory justice for slavery can come in many forms, including financial reparations, debt relief, official apologies, educational programs, museum building, economic support, and public health assistance.
Ahead of the summit, there have been many calls from Commonwealth leaders for Britain to apologize and make reparations.
King Charles will officially open the summit and is expected to use his opening speech to pay tribute to his late mother Queen Elizabeth II and her relationship with the Commonwealth.
He will also say that the size and diversity of the Commonwealth allows “discussing the most challenging issues with openness and respect”, and also talks about the importance of recognizing and understanding the path of history, and where it can lead to contemporary challenges.
During the meeting, a new secretary general of the Commonwealth will be elected. Three of the candidates – Shirley Botchwey from Ghana, Joshua Setipa from Lesotho and Mamadou Tangara from Gambia – returned reparatory justice.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Frederick Mitchell, the Bahamas’ foreign minister, said he believed Britain would change its attitude, saying: “I hope some people will come, but they will come.”
Mitchell also called on the British government to apologise, telling a Commonwealth meeting: “It’s a simple matter – it can be done, one sentence, one line.”
Asked if he would apologise, Sir Keir said: “Of course, apologies have been made in relation to the slave trade, and that’s not surprising, that’s what we would expect.”
In 2007, Prime Minister Tony Blair please excuse me for the slave trade. After the talks with the president of Ghana, he said: “I have thanked you and I will say it again.”
During an interview with the BBC, Sir Keir was also asked about the complaints of Donald Trump’s team have filed against the Labor Party objecting to staff and activists who volunteered for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.
“I think it’s worth looking at,” the prime minister said, adding: “These are some Labor Party members and staff on the campaign trail.
“This happens in every election in different parts of the world. All political parties do it… I think it’s necessary to put it in the right perspective.”
Sir Keir added that he and Trump wanted to have a “good working relationship” and that the pair recently had dinner together.
He rejected suggestions that his party was still adapting to government, saying he had “absolute clarity” on his “number one mission” of economic growth.
Next Wednesday Chancellor Rachel Reeves, will set the government’s tax and spending plan in the Budget.
Ahead is Reeves to the BBC he will change the rules of self-imposed government debt to free up money to spend on infrastructure.
Asked about the Budget, Sir Keir said the economy had barely grown under the Conservatives and he wanted to “clear the decks” and “clean up the mess”.
“I believe in running to the problem. If you know what the problem is, what the challenge is, every business knows this, every family knows this, run to it and fix it.”
The Conservatives have challenged the argument Labor made a £22bn black hole in the economy and question the chancellor’s decision to change the debt rules.
Party Treasury Minister Gareth Davies said that “uncertainty about additional borrowing risks, interest rates remain higher and longer.
“It’s families up and down the country that will pay the price.”
