Last weekend, Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis took advantage of a visit by Foreign Minister Baroness Chapman to tell her the fight for reparations is far from over.
Bahamas Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell said on BBC Radio 4 today: “The word is forgiveness, that’s the word.”
He told the Commonwealth Assembly that “it’s a simple matter – it can be done in one sentence, one line”.
When asked about the amount of reparations, Mr. Mitchell said it was not just about money, but about “respect, the recognition that the past was a mistake that needs to be corrected.”
He said member states “want the conversation to begin” but “there seems to be a reluctance to even have a conversation.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Britain had heard calls for reparations for slavery “loud and clear” but the Prime Minister was “right” to “focus on the future”.
A UK government spokesman said they would not comment on the BBC leak, but added: “The issue of reparations is not on the agenda of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. The position of the government has not changed – we do not pay reparations.
“We are focused on using the (Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting) summit to discuss the shared opportunities we can open up across the Commonwealth, including to deliver more economic growth.”
It is understood that Downing Street’s position – that reparative justice is not on the agenda – while technically correct, angered some Caribbean ministers when it was clear the issue would be discussed at the summit.
The BBC understands the tenor and tone of the UK government’s language has contributed to “further exasperation” among some members who may not have expected the UK to change its mind and “suddenly start throwing out a lot of money”.
Sir Keir Starmer landed in Samoa on Wednesday evening UK time, becoming the first prime minister to visit the Pacific island nation.
Speaking to reporters en route, he said he wanted to discuss with Commonwealth leaders today’s issues, particularly climate change, rather than issues of the past.
“What they’re most interested in is whether we can help them work, for example, with the international financial institutions on the packages that they need now for the challenges they’re facing,” he said.
“I’m going to focus on that, not what will end up being very, very long endless discussions about reparations for the past.
“Of course, slavery is abhorrent to everyone; trade and practice, there is no doubt about it. But I think from my point of view … I’d rather roll up my sleeves and work with them on the current challenges that the future faces than spend a lot of time on the past.”
