Sir Keir Starmer has rejected calls for reparations for slavery, saying it would lead to “very long, endless discussions” about the past.
The prime minister said while the transatlantic slave trade was “abhorrent”, he believes the countries affected by it would rather the UK help them with contemporary challenges, such as the impact of climate change.
Speaking to reporters on the plane to Samoa, where he will attend the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm), Sir Keir said: “On the question of which way we’re facing, I think we should be facing forward.
“I’ve talked to a lot of our Commonwealth colleagues in the Commonwealth family and they’re facing real challenges on things like climate in the here and now.
“And in all the conversations I’ve had with them, what they’re most interested in is can we help them working with international institutions, financial institutions on the sorts of packages they need right now in relation to the challenges they’re facing right now.”
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He added: “That’s where I’m going to put my focus rather than what will end up being very long, endless discussions about reparations on the past.”
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There has been mounting pressure from leaders of Caribbean nations for the UK to consider paying reparations for the impact of the transatlantic slave trade.
The call has also been echoed by some Labour backbenchers, with Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, arguing that the UK has both a “moral and legal duty to address the injustices of the past”.
She wrote on X: “Refusing to address our country’s role in enslavement and colonialism speaks volumes about the regard in which we hold people who still live with their impact.”
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Earlier this week the prime minister’s official spokesman said reparations were “not on the agenda” at the Commonwealth summit and the government would not offer an apology for the slave trade.
“The government’s position on this has not changed – we do not pay reparations,” the spokesman said.
“The prime minister is attending this week’s summit to discuss shared challenges and opportunities faced by the Commonwealth, including driving growth across our economies.”
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Pressed about an apology, the spokesman added: “The position on apology remains the same, we won’t be offering an apology at Chogm, but we will continue to engage with partners on the issues as we work with them to tackle the pressing challenges of today and indeed for the future generations.”
Earlier this week, the King was heckled by Australian senator Lidia Thorpe during his address to the Australian parliament on Monday.
She shouted: “Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us! Our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty!
“You are not our King, you are not sovereign… you have committed genocide against our people.”
Sir Keir will meet the King and Queen who received a ceremonial welcome when they arrived in Samoa for their four-day state visit following their tour of Australia.
