Sir Keir Starmer has downplayed the prominence of reparations for slavery being addressed at a Commonwealth summit, saying “none of the discussions have been about money”.
The prime minister, who’s in Samoa for the Commonwealth heads of presidency assembly (Chogm), has been dealing with mounting stress from leaders of Caribbean nations who need the UK to think about paying reparations for the influence of the transatlantic slave commerce.
They’re looking for a proper apology from the nations accountable for the historic slavery.
Sir Keir had already rejected the calls forward of the assembly, saying it will result in “very long, endless discussions” in regards to the previous.
The UK authorities has repeatedly dominated out providing reparations or an apology for the nation’s historic involvement within the commerce.
However after an eight-hour assembly, the 56 Commonwealth leaders have included a name for a dialogue on reparations within the Chogm’s communique.
A paragraph included within the 16-page doc says the heads “noted calls for discussions on reparatory justice” with reference to slavery and “agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity”.
“We’ve actually had a very positive two days here in Samoa,” he continued, saying the communique’s dominant themes had been “resilience and climate”.
“So I think that gives you a clear sense of the absolute priority here,” he stated. “And that’s not surprising. You’ve spent some time here. You’ll see just how vulnerable this island and similar islands are, to climate change. It is of paramount importance.”
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The PM on the Chogm gathering. Pic: Reuters
Sir Keir stated there was “one paragraph in 20-something paragraphs” about reparations.
“There is… the paragraph in the communique about reparatory justice, which does two things,” he stated.
“It notes calls for discussion, and it agrees that this is the time for conversation. But I should be really clear here: in the two days we’ve been here, none of the discussions have been about money.
“Our place may be very, very clear in relation to that. And clearly, that is fairly a protracted communique. It is one paragraph, I believe, in 20-something paragraphs, noting the decision for dialogue, agreeing a time for conversations.
“And that’s all that’s in the communique.”
He added the subsequent discussions on reparations could be on the UK/Caribbean Discussion board subsequent yr, a overseas secretary stage assembly.
Reparations are normally outlined as funds made by a rustic for injury or losses brought about to different nations or their folks.
There are numerous estimates for what the UK would owe, however final yr a report co-authored by a United Nations choose concluded the UK owed greater than £18trn to 14 nations.
