UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed openness to calls for a formal apology for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade but ruled out financial reparations, as Caribbean nations and descendants of slave-owning families push for accountability ahead of the Commonwealth Heads Meeting (CHOGM).
Burnham’s Stance on Apology and Reparations
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told The Guardian that he is open to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state
for the transatlantic slave trade, but reiterated the UK government’s opposition to financial reparations. I do not believe that is the right answer,
he said, arguing that British people today cannot be held liable for historical wrongs
committed under different laws. Burnham emphasized a structured dialogue
with affected communities, including Caribbean nations, but stopped short of endorsing monetary compensation.
Descendants of Slave-Owners Back Reparations
Unexpectedly, descendants of British families who profited from slavery have joined calls for reparations. Laura Trevelyan, a former BBC journalist and descendant of the Trevelyan family, discovered her ancestors received compensation for plantation losses after slavery abolition in 1833. She has since contributed voluntary reparations of about £100,000 (US$133,744) earmarked for educational projects, urging others to apologise for what my ancestors did.
Trevelyan co-founded the Heirs of Slavery
group, which advocates for reparative justice.
Other descendants, including Charlie Gladstone (a relative of 19th-century Prime Minister William Gladstone) and Earl of Harewood David Lascelles, have also made public apologies. Gladstone, whose family owned plantations in the West Indies, apologized in Guyana in 2023. Lascelles’ family, linked to the royal family, faced scrutiny after a portrait of actor David Harewood—whose ancestors worked on Lascelles-owned plantations—was displayed at Harewood House. He called his family’s role in slavery deeply, deeply regrettable
but argued that people living today cannot be held responsible for events that occurred hundreds of years ago.
Caricom Reparations Commission chair Hilary Beckles has repeatedly spoken out about figures like Drax, emphasizing the need for reparations as a form of justice.
Legal Challenges and the Privy Council Case
Not all descendants agree. Richard Drax, whose ancestors established Drax Hall Estate in Barbados in the mid-17th century, has remained staunchly opposed to reparations. He has estimated that up to 30,000 slaves died at Drax plantations in Barbados and Jamaica over 200 years. Drax has described his ancestors’ role in the slave trade as deeply, deeply regrettable
but has argued that no-one can be held responsible today for what happened many hundreds of years ago.
The legal battle reflects broader tensions. Sir Hilary Beckles, chair of the Caricom reparations commission, has stated that financial reparations need not be a stumbling block to progress. However, the UK government maintains its position, with officials emphasizing that British people today cannot be held liable for historical wrongs.
Commonwealth Summit Tensions
The upcoming CHOGM in Antigua and Barbuda, where King Charles III will attend, has become a flashpoint. In 2024, Keir Starmer found himself negotiating the wording of a communique on reparations in front of other leaders. Burnham’s government is preparing for similar scrutiny, with officials aiming to avoid a repeat of 2024 by limiting media access and focusing on trade and investment ties. Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey has urged a serious conversation on reparations,
while Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness welcomed Burnham’s willingness to engage in dialogue.
At the summit, Chancellor John Healey, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, and former prime minister Gordon Brown will join Burnham to help with the summit’s work.
The event highlights the complex interplay between historical accountability and contemporary diplomatic priorities.
As the summit approaches, the clash between historical accountability and political pragmatism remains unresolved. For Caribbean nations, the fight for reparations is not just about financial redress but a reckoning with a legacy that continues to shape their societies.