Starmer urged by Commonwealth leaders to discuss slavery reparations

Sir Keir Starmer has been told by Commonwealth leaders he must come to the table to discuss reparations for the “ill effects” of slavery. Commonwealth nations are looking at an agreement that could begin conversations on the issue through a communique, according to the BBC. Frederick Mitchell, a Bahamian foreign affairs minister, urged Sir Keir to take part in a discussion which “needs to be had about the history” around reparations. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with Samoan Prime Minister Afioga Fiame Naomi Mata’afa in Samoa (Stefan Rousseau/PA) But Lisa Nandy, Sir Keir’s Culture Secretary, said the Prime Minister is “right” to want to move forward and not discuss payments for Britain’s historical role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Sir Keir has touched down in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm), and has already begun meeting with political leaders from across the association, including bilateral talks with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Downing Street previously said reparations would not be on the agenda for the gathering. But Bahamian minister Mr Mitchell told the BBC that Caricom countries – a community of 15 member states and six associate members across the Americas and the Caribbean – “want...