Keir Starmer loses reparations battle as Commonwealth calls for justice | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.

Sir Keir Starmer did not exclude language on slavery reparations from a joint assertion signed by Commonwealth nations on the finish of a summit.

The Prime Minister downplayed the prominence of reparatory justice on the agenda on the gathering in Samoa, insisting talks about local weather resilience had as a substitute been the “absolute priority” on Saturday (October 26).

Starmer, talking at a press convention on the finish of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHoGM), repeated his description of slavery as “abhorrent”, however mentioned Britain’s place on paying for its position was “very, very clear”.

The UK has repeatedly dominated out providing reparations or an apology for Britain’s historic involvement within the slave commerce.

However, the ultimate communique signed by Commonwealth leaders acknowledged requires a dialogue on the matter. It mentioned they “agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity.”

The doc mentioned: “Heads, noting calls for discussions on reparatory justice with regard to the trans-Atlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel enslavement, and recognising the importance of this matter to member states of the Commonwealth, the majority of which share common historical experiences in relation to this abhorrent trade, chattel enslavement, the debilitation and dispossession of Indigenous People, indentureship, colonialism, blackbirding and their enduring effects, agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity.

“Heads additional agreed to proceed taking part in an energetic position in bringing about such inclusive conversations addressing these harms, paying particular consideration to ladies and ladies, who suffered disproportionately from these appalling tragedies within the historical past of humanity.”

Asked if the inclusion of such language in the final agreement showed he had lost the argument and damaged the UK’s relations with Commonwealth nations, Sir Keir said: “The theme of the day was chosen by the prime minister right here in Samoa, and she or he selected resilience and local weather.

“So I think that gives you a clear sense of the absolute priority here, and that’s not surprising.”

He added: “I should be really clear here, in the two days we’ve been here, none of the discussions have been about money. Our position is very, very clear in relation to that.”

Downing Street had already dominated out non-financial reparations and maintained that its place on the problem was “clear”.

Before the joint assertion was issued, Britain conceded the problem of reparations might be included within the doc.

Officials harassed that would not essentially imply any change to the UK’s coverage place.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1967540/keir-starmer-loses-commonwealth-slavery-reparations-battle