UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said, his government is considering to issue a formal apology for Britain’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade for the first time, as it seeks to strengthen ties with African and Caribbean nations. Burnham is scheduled to travel to Antigua and Barbuda next week to attend a meeting of Commonwealth leaders.
In an article published in a British newspaper, Burnham said Britain must acknowledge its complicated history to safeguard the future of the Commonwealth, a grouping of 56 independent nations that largely evolved from the former British Empire. He said the British government was prepared to initiate a structured dialogue with communities and nations affected by slavery and would listen to calls for a formal apology from the British state. However, he ruled out financial reparations for the slave trade, saying Britain would continue to resist demands for compensation.
The Prime Minister also highlighted contemporary challenges facing Commonwealth members, including mounting debt burdens in developing countries, alongside wider economic, environmental and security concerns. Burnham’s remarks come as Britain seeks to reinforce its longstanding relationships with Commonwealth nations amid growing global economic, environmental and military challenges
