UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham ‘open’ to calls for slavery apology but not reparations

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated a willingness to consider a formal apology for Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, while firmly rejecting the notion of financial reparations. In an op-ed for The Guardian, Burnham acknowledged Britain's historical duality, citing abolitionist Thomas Clarkson's 1787 sermon against slavery alongside Manchester's cotton industry built on enslaved labor.

He emphasized the need for a "structured dialogue" with affected Commonwealth members but ruled out financial compensation, stating that "British people today cannot be held liable for historical wrongs." Burnham proposed addressing modern economic challenges, such as sovereign debt, through debt restructuring initiatives led by wealthy nations and global investors.

The announcement comes as West African nations, led by Ghana, push for reparatory justice, with Ghana securing a United Nations resolution in March 2026. While some Commonwealth leaders welcomed Burnham's openness, campaigners criticized the refusal to address financial compensation, arguing that genuine reconciliation requires tackling systemic economic inequalities.