Starmer can’t afford to lose the argument on slavery reparations

The Commonwealth – whose 56 nations are meeting in the Pacific island nation of Samoa – looks set to defy Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer by putting slavery reparations on the agenda. The leaders of some Caribbean countries insist it is ‘only a matter of time’ until Britain bows to demands of handing over billions of pounds in compensation. Reports suggest they are pushing for a clear agreement on plans for reparatory justice and want to publish this in the all-important final communique of the summit. Such a move would lay bare the growing divisions at the gathering. It would also amount to a damaging public setback for Starmer, who has insisted that compensation for the transatlantic slave trade is not on the table for discussions. A Downing Street spokesman earlier this week could not have been more categorical: ‘The government’s position on this has not changed – we do not pay reparations.’ The government made plain that an official apology was not on the cards either. A formal apology would open the floodgates to unlimited financial demands Starmer said this week that he wants to discuss current challenges with Commonwealth leaders, especially climate change, rather than the past. This...