What's happened
The UK government reiterated its stance against reparations for colonial injustices ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. This comes as Caribbean leaders, including Barbados' Prime Minister Mia Mottley, push for discussions on reparative justice, citing figures as high as $5 trillion for compensation.
Why it matters
What the papers say
Nadine White from The Independent reports that the UK government, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, has reiterated its refusal to discuss reparations, stating, "We do not pay reparations." This position is echoed by Labour leader Keir Starmer, who will attend the summit in Samoa. Meanwhile, Mottley has called for reparations, citing a figure of $5 trillion, emphasizing the need for accountability for historical injustices. The Guardian's Peter Walker highlights the potential diplomatic fallout from the UK’s stance, noting that all candidates for the Commonwealth Secretary-General position support reparations, which could create tension at the summit. The Independent also notes that the Church of England has pledged a £1 billion fund to address its historical role in slavery, contrasting sharply with the government's refusal to engage in reparations discussions.
How we got here
The issue of reparations has gained traction recently, particularly with Caribbean leaders advocating for compensation related to slavery and colonialism. The upcoming Commonwealth summit in Samoa is expected to spotlight this contentious topic.
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David Lindon Lammy PC FRSA is a British Labour Party politician serving as Member of Parliament for Tottenham since 2000, and has served as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor in Keir Starmer's Shadow Cabinet since 2020.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent to the British throne as the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II. He has been Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay since 1952, and he is the oldest and longest-serving heir apparent in British history.
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The Commonwealth of Nations, generally known simply as the Commonwealth, is a political association of 54 member states, nearly all former territories of the British Empire.
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Mia Amor Mottley QC, MP, EGH, OR is a Barbadian politician and attorney who is the Prime Minister of Barbados since 2018, and leader of the Barbados Labour Party.