Burnham to open apology talks at Commonwealth summit
Prime Minister Andy Burnham will join the King at the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua, and will begin talks on whether the UK should issue a formal apology for the slave trade. The Commonwealth is the association of countries that includes the UK. BBC News Representatives from 56 member countries are meeting at the summit.
Downing Street said Mr Burnham would also set out plans for a "debt reset" to support Commonwealth countries facing rising costs of paying interest on their debts. Mr Burnham's office said around half of developing countries struggling with debt are in the Commonwealth. US News
Mr Burnham, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown are beginning conversations aimed at changing the tone of the debate about reparations for slavery. The Foreign Secretary is the cabinet minister responsible for foreign affairs.
The government says it will not pay financial reparations for slavery. It is likely, however, to apologise formally for the slave trade for the first time next year, when the UK holds the rotating presidency of the G20, the group of major economies.
Mr Miliband said a formal apology is something "the British government are open to", and that it would be a "significant step". He said the UK does not believe financial reparations are the right or feasible answer to transatlantic slavery. He also said he does not think British taxpayers today should make payments for historic acts.
Mr Burnham said he is open to calls for a formal apology for Britain's historical role in slavery. Reuters
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch urged the prime minister not to issue an apology. She argued that it would give countries a reason to ask the UK for reparations.
Downing Street said the UK would lead two new Commonwealth task forces. One will focus on critical mineral assets and supply-chain vulnerabilities. The other will aim to boost trade and investment. Both will be set up by the end of the year and will report back at the next leaders' summit.
