Burnham Open to British State Apology for Slave Trade

Andy Burnham said he is open to a formal apology on behalf of the British state for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, while ruling out financial reparations. He also proposed structured dialogue with affected communities and countries, but made clear that any formal apology would depend on those discussions. In an essay, Burnham said listening to calls for an apology would be an important part of the process. He expressed sorrow and regret for the suffering caused by slavery, describing the trade as a violation that denied people their humanity and separated families. His personal expression of regret was distinct from a formal apology by the state, which has not been issued. Burnham rejected financial compensation, arguing that people in Britain today should not be held liable for historical wrongs in which they played no personal part. Caribbean advocates welcomed his willingness to engage but objected to excluding financial reparations from the discussion. Dorbrene O’Marde, chair of Antigua and Barbuda’s reparations support commission, called the statement a step in the right direction. Ralph Gonsalves, a former prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines and a...