Amina Taylor | Badenoch’s demeaning attempt to silence reparations talk

Colonialism and the slave trade were, at best, minor factors in Britain’s prosperity and may have been net loss makers, this according to newly published ‘research’ from right-wing think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). Before I unpack why the math wasn’t ‘mathing’ on this risible attempt to reframe history, let me say we recognise political gaslighting when we see it. This new paper is a clumsy attempt at a rebuttal to those who have been using the actual data and statistics associated with slavery and colonialism to demand a new conversation about reparations and restorative justice. The big kicker is, this piece wasn’t just published and allowed to die in academic obscurity as it so thoroughly deserved; instead, it’s the profile and job description of its biggest cheerleader that’s particularly problematic. Enter Olukemi Olufunto Kemi’ Badenoch, secretary of state for the Department for Business and Minister for Women and Equalities. Yes. The flag-bearer of the Conservative Party’s new team leading the fightback of the anti-woke brigade in the ‘culture wars’. It seems Badenoch has a few things in common with my old favourite, Suella Braverman; not least a grasping attempt to appease the most base element of their...