Sir Keir Starmer has played down the importance of discussing reparations for slavery at a Commonwealth summit, emphasizing that the talks have not focused on money. The prime minister, currently in Samoa for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm), is under pressure from Caribbean leaders who are urging the UK to consider compensating for the impact of the transatlantic slave trade. They are requesting a formal apology from the countries responsible for the historical slavery. Sir Keir had already dismissed these demands before the meeting, stating that they would lead to lengthy discussions about the past. The UK government has consistently refused to offer reparations or an apology for its historical involvement in the slave trade. However, following an eight-hour meeting, the 56 Commonwealth leaders have included a call for discussions on reparations in the Chogm’s communique. A section in the 16-page document acknowledges the requests for reparatory justice regarding slavery and agrees that it is time for a meaningful conversation towards building a common future based on fairness. Speaking at a press conference, Sir Keir reiterated his condemnation of the slave trade and highlighted the themes of resilience and climate in the communique. He noted that there was only one paragraph out of over twenty paragraphs dedicated to reparations, emphasizing that the discussions during the summit did not revolve around financial compensation. The next talks on reparations are expected to take place at the UK/Caribbean Forum next year. Reparations are typically defined as payments made by one country to compensate for damage or losses caused to other nations or their people. Various estimates suggest that the UK could owe a significant amount, with a report from last year suggesting a figure of over £18 trillion owed to 14 countries.
