Politics · United Kingdom · 3 hrs ago
Burnham open to slavery apology but rules out reparations
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is open to a formal apology for the country’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, but says he will not consider financial reparations.
He has proposed a structured dialogue with people affected by slavery and says calls for an apology should be part of it.
The trade forcibly took Africans to the Americas, where they were separated from families, treated as property and exploited.
Britain has never formally apologised or paid reparations for its role in the trade.
Burnham says people in Britain today should not be held financially responsible for historical wrongs they did not personally commit.
Caribbean nations have renewed calls for an apology and reparations, and say they want an honest conversation about slavery’s legacy.
The issue will be discussed around next week’s Commonwealth leaders summit in the Caribbean, which Burnham plans to attend.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he is open to calls for a formal apology for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.
He ruled out financial reparations, saying they are not the right answer.
Burnham proposed a structured dialogue with people affected by the slave trade.
He said the discussion should help confront the past and strengthen the Commonwealth.
He is due to attend a Commonwealth leaders’ meeting in the Caribbean next week.
- Who
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and Commonwealth members affected by the slave trade.
- What
- Burnham is open to calls for a formal apology but rejects financial reparations. He proposed a structured dialogue.
- When
- Burnham’s comments were published on 30 and 31 October 2026. The Commonwealth meeting is scheduled for next week.
- Where
- The planned meeting is in the Caribbean.
- Why
- Burnham said an honest discussion about slavery’s legacies is needed to confront the past and strengthen the Commonwealth.
Caribbean nations calling for an apology and reparations
Andy Burnham
Apology
Caribbean nations calling for an apology and reparations
Caribbean nations have renewed calls for Britain to apologise for its role in the slave trade.
Andy Burnham
Burnham is open to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state.
Reparations
Caribbean nations calling for an apology and reparations
Caribbean nations have renewed calls for reparations.
Andy Burnham
Burnham says financial reparations are not the right answer and that people today cannot be held liable for historical wrongs.
Abolition campaigner Thomas Clarkson spoke about the slave trade at Manchester Cathedral.
The Guardian published Burnham’s article proposing structured dialogue and saying he was open to calls for an apology.
Burnham is due to attend a Commonwealth leaders’ meeting in the Caribbean.
- Prime minister
- Andy Burnham
- Article publication
- 30 October 2026 (Guardian); 31 October 2026 (BBC)
- Planned meeting
- Commonwealth leaders’ meeting in the Caribbean, next week
- Burnham’s position on apology
- Open to calls for a formal apology
- Burnham’s position on reparations
- Says financial reparations are not the right answer
4 sources
Britain’s Prime Minister Says He’s Open to a Formal Apology for Slavery
Burnham 'open' to calls for slavery apology but not reparations
British people can’t be made to pay for the wrongs of slavery – but we must confront our complicated history | Andy Burnham
What people are saying
Listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state will form an important part of this process, and I am open to them.
I do not believe that is the right answer.
face up to the past
The transatlantic slave trade was a brutal and barbaric violation of those people.