Labour has slapped down calls for reparations to countries affected by the slave trade after an MP said there is a “buzz” around the prospect of a progressive Government.
Clive Lewis, who has been vocal in his support for payments, said he was optimistic that a “forward-thinking” administration could address historic wrongs. But a party spokesman swiftly dampened these hopes, stating: “We don’t support reparations.”
Mr Lewis, who led a debate in Parliament on the demand earlier this year, told BBC Radio 4: “I’m working very hard with organisations, with Caribbean governments on the issue of reparations for slavery. This is something where I think there’s a slight buzz at the moment, there’s a sense that there’s a new administration coming into the UK, one that is more progressive, that will be forward-thinking.”
And he added: “I think there’s a real possibility that we could have a Labour Government that will lead the way internationally.”
There are mounting calls for the UK to enter talks with nations affected by the slave trade about reparations. Leading UN Judge Patrick Robinson said last month: “They cannot continue to ignore the greatest atrocity, signifying man’s inhumanity to man.
“They cannot continue to ignore it. Reparations have been paid for other wrongs and obviously far more quickly, far more speedily than reparations for what I consider the greatest atrocity and crime in the history of mankind: transatlantic chattel slavery.”
In a Westminster Hall debate in March Mr Lewis praised the wealthy Trevelyan family, whose ancestors were compensated when slavery was abolished in 1833 – but the 1,000 people they “owned” in Grenada were not.
They pledged £100,000 to a community fund to help economic development on the island, and were in the Westminster Hall gallery as the debate took place.
Mr Lewis said the UK government must do the same to put right “400 years of the most hideous abuse”.
He said at the time: “There’s no future worth looking forward to in the Caribbean until we confront the past. Go to the Caribbean and what you’ll see is the past alive and well today – poverty, racism, inequality and debt.”
Rishi Sunak has steadfastly rejected the calls. In April Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy called on the PM to acknowledge the wealth Britain accumulated as a result of colonialism and slavery and offer a “full and meaningful apology”.
Ms Ribeiro-Addy said she and others had been calling for this for decades, and urged the Government to finally answer a call made by Labour stalwart Bernie Grant at his last PMQs.
She told the Commons: “In his last PMQs before his death he asked for an apology for people of African descent, living and dead, for our country’s role in slavery and colonialism.
“But since then Prime Ministers and heads of state have only ever expressed sorrow and deep regret. These are not sentiments that are befitting one of the greatest atrocities in human history.”
Mr Sunak responded: “What I think the focus should be on is of course understanding our history and all its part and not running away from it. But right now making sure that we’re a country that is inclusive and tolerant of people from all backgrounds.” Mr Sunak added: “Trying to unpick our history isn’t the right way forward and isn’t we will focus our energy on.”
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