Badenoch defends British Empire, criticizes potential slavery apology
Kemi Badenoch, a Conservative leader, has stated her belief that the British Empire was ultimately a positive force, while also criticizing Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s consideration of a formal apology for slavery. Badenoch acknowledged historical injustices but emphasized that such events occurred across various empires and regions globally.
The comments come ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, scheduled to take place next week in Antigua. During this summit, King Charles is expected to address the issue of slavery with honesty and regret.
Burnham has proposed allowing Commonwealth nations to discuss a potential British apology for slavery, though he has ruled out financial reparations. Badenoch expressed concern that Burnham’s actions lack foresight and could place undue pressure on the King.
“It encourages many of those countries to think that we’re looking weaker than we are,” Badenoch said. “I don’t want people to see Britain as a weak country. We are a strong country, and I want our Prime Minister to be the biggest defender of the UK. Not another person going in to start apologising. We’ve had enough of apologising. It’s time for us to move on.”
When asked directly about the Empire’s legacy, Badenoch affirmed her view that it was “overall a force for good,” stressing the importance of historical honesty. She added, “What we cannot do is build a time machine and go back into the past. It’s time for us to start looking to the future.”
The UK has previously issued apologies for historical wrongs, including the treatment of Windrush citizens, Bloody Sunday, and the Hillsborough disaster. Badenoch voiced apprehension that the upcoming Commonwealth summit could be exploited to solicit financial assistance from Britain.
She warned, “What I’m worried about is that this Chogm summit is yet another opportunity for people to start asking Britain for money because of the slave trade.”
Chancellor John Healey echoed Badenoch’s sentiments, stating that current Britons should not be held financially responsible for the transatlantic slave trade, an institution in which they had no involvement. Healey confirmed Burnham’s openness to discussing an apology but reiterated his opposition to reparations, emphasizing that a formal apology does not equate to accepting present-day financial liability.
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“Badenoch claims British empire was ‘overall’ a force for good: ‘We have had enough of apologies’”
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