UK Prime Minister Burnham to Invite Countries Affected by Slavery to Help Shape Formal Apology at Commonwealth Summit

St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will ask countries affected by Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade to help shape the content of an anticipated formal apology, Downing Street has indicated, maintaining that their participation is essential to producing a lasting message.

The Prime Minister was travelling to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda, which opens on Tuesday. Downing Street said he would use the summit to launch a “structured dialogue” on what form such an apology might take.

UK officials already present at the summit said other Commonwealth member states had reacted favourably to the initiative, adding that it could also support negotiations on other matters, including trade and climate change.

A New Approach to the Commonwealth

In remarks released by Downing Street ahead of his arrival, Prime Minister Burnham said the discussion of an apology represented a fresh approach to Britain’s relationship with the Commonwealth.

“In today’s more divided, unpredictable world, the Commonwealth has the potential to be a powerful force for good, bringing together a third of the global population, and I believe it is key that the UK plays its full role in that,” he said. “Britain is bringing a new approach to this meeting as we look to reshape a new era for the Commonwealth, as well as being open to discussions about the past.”

Downing Street has ruled out the payment of reparations following any apology. However, the Prime Minister is expected to present proposals at the summit for a debt restructuring mechanism to assist countries burdened by rising debt costs.

Burnham first outlined his intention to consider a possible apology in an article published in The Guardian on Saturday, in which he wrote that the United Kingdom should “show leadership again today,” as it had done in the campaign to abolish the transatlantic slave trade.

Going Beyond Previous Expressions of Regret

Asked why the Prime Minister considered an apology necessary, his official spokesperson said Burnham wished to strengthen the Commonwealth as a family of nations with shared values, capable of supporting global growth through trade and economic cooperation. Engaging in discussions on an apology would advance that goal and was also the right thing to do, the spokesperson added.

In 2006, then Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed “deep sorrow” over the slave trade and Britain’s part in it, but did not issue a formal apology. The spokesperson said Burnham intended to go further.

“The prime minister, like his predecessors, has expressed his sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering caused by the transatlantic slave trade, and recognised the way it still shapes our world today. That is distinct from a formal apology,” the spokesperson said. “We are opening a structured dialogue with those affected by the transatlantic slave trade, and listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state, and that will form an important part of that process.”

The spokesperson added that it was right for any formal apology to be discussed thoroughly with the countries and communities most affected, rather than for Britain to determine its form unilaterally. “An apology of this significance should be informed by the people and countries most affected, as they have asked for,” the spokesperson said.

Talks Throughout the Summit

Burnham is due to participate in a series of plenary sessions at CHOGM, alongside bilateral meetings with fellow leaders. While no dedicated session has been scheduled on slavery or an apology, Downing Street said discussions would take place over the course of the next few days, with the Foreign Office leading talks on the form an apology might take.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is already attending the summit. A Foreign Office official said other Commonwealth countries were “responding positively to our offer of a structured dialogue” on an apology.

“The conversations at CHOGM have been focused on the positive work this alliance can do together on issues like climate and trade,” the official said. “By not shying away from difficult discussions about our past, we are building trust with our allies to focus on the big issues of the future.”

Downing Street Dismisses Concerns Over King

Downing Street rejected suggestions that the Prime Minister’s remarks may have placed King Charles III, who is already in Antigua and Barbuda for a visit preceding the summit, in an awkward position.

Burnham’s spokesperson said Buckingham Palace “was made aware in a timely manner,” adding: “The prime minister believes that being true to British values of decency and honesty means not shying away from these conversations.”