The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, has caused “profound anger, hurt and disbelief” among many black voters with her comments about transatlantic slavery, according to the chair of Operation Black Vote (OBV), who urged the prime minister, Andy Burnham, to apologise for Britain’s involvement without delay.
David Weaver, a former government adviser, said the Labour and Tory leaders risked alienating black voters with their handling of the issue of a state apology for slavery, while saying Badenoch’s remarks showed a “troubling absence of moral leadership”.
In a week in which the UK political agenda was dominated by postcolonial legacies, Badenoch said Burnham should not apologise for Britain’s historical role in slavery “because it is a lever to wedge open the door to ask for cash”, while criticising Commonwealth leaders on X.
Burnham, while saying he was pen to making a formal apology on behalf of the British state, has ruled out reparations. Weaver said he welcomed the prime minister’s apparent willingness to apologise, but said the government’s “almost reflexive insistence” that any apology must come with assurances “reparations are off the table” was concerning. » | Chris Osuh Community affairs correspondent | Friday, November 6, 2026
Kemi Badenoch says Africans should apologise for slavery. She should read a history book: Enslavement’s devastating impact on Caribbean and African nations means that cross-diasporic solidarity has become central in addressing its legacy »
