Britain will not bring the issue of reparations for historical transatlantic slavery to the table at a meeting of Commonwealth nations that began in Samoa on Monday, but is open to engage with leaders who want to discuss it.
Leaders and officials from 56 countries with roots in Britain’s former empire will attend this week the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the Pacific Island nation.
Consecutive British governments have rejected calls for reparations but the chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) reparations commission, Hilary Beckles, told Reuters there were hopes this stance might change under the new Labour administration after 14 years of Conservative rule.
Both British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles will attend the Samoa meeting.
But a spokesperson for Starmer reiterated on Monday that reparations were not on his agenda.
“We do not pay reparations,” the spokesperson said. “The position on an apology remains the same. We won’t be offering an apology at CHOGM.”
Although reparations are not on Starmer’s “formal” Commonwealth agenda, his spokesperson said they would “continue to engage with partners on these issues”.
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