Dec 5, 2024 Story by: Editor
Foreign Secretary David Lammy affirmed that both he and the Prime Minister are “absolutely clear” that the UK will not make financial payments or cash transfers as reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. However, he emphasized that the government is open to dialogue on other aspects related to future relations.
Speaking to a cross-party committee of MPs, Mr. Lammy addressed discussions held during the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. He explained that conversations at the summit primarily focused on issues such as climate finance and technology investment.
“There was no discussion about reparations and money,” he stated. “The Prime Minister and I were absolutely clear that we will not be making cash transfers and payments to the Caribbean. We are absolutely happy to have the dialogue about the future, our future relationships, and we will continue with those.”
The summit’s communique avoided the term “reparations” but did acknowledge calls for “reparatory justice.” Leaders agreed on the importance of fostering “a meaningful, truthful, and respectful conversation” about equity and shared history. Mr. Lammy dismissed the notion of direct financial transfers as a “caricature” and reiterated the UK’s position against such measures.
During the conference, Sir Keir Starmer also refrained from endorsing reparations, maintaining that the issue is not on the UK’s agenda despite calls from Caribbean and African member states for broader discussions on historical injustices.
At the summit’s executive session, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of recognizing the complexities of a shared history. He said, “We must also acknowledge our shared history – especially when it’s hard. I understand the strength of feeling here and that there are some calls to face up to the harms and injustices of the past through reparatory justice.”
The UK’s stance reflects a broader debate on how nations address historical legacies and their impact on present-day relations. Source: Independent
