Mayor Andy Burnham's recent suggestion that he is open to an apology for Britain's role in the slave trade has been labeled a "destructive blunder" by columnist Stephen Glover. Glover argues that Burnham, whom he controversially describes as an "unelected Prime Minister," is ill-suited for the international stage and that his tendency to "think aloud" could have significant financial repercussions.
Glover's commentary, published in the Daily Mail, posits that Burnham's remarks come at a sensitive time, with Commonwealth leaders gathering in the West Indies where many are advocating for reparations for slavery. Estimates for such reparations have reached as high as £18 trillion, a figure Glover points out is vastly larger than Britain's national debt.
The official stance of the British Government has historically been one of regret and sorrow for the slave trade, acknowledging it as an "abomination." This position is echoed by King Charles III, who has spoken about the historical events with "unflinching honesty" and "sincere sorrow" during his Caribbean tour. However, unlike an apology, expressing sorrow does not inherently admit fault or create legal liability.
Burnham has reportedly rejected the idea of direct financial compensation, but Glover contends that by expressing openness to an apology, Burnham has moved closer to a scenario where financial reparations could be demanded. This stance has been welcomed by some Caribbean figures, such as Dorbrene O’Marde, chair of the Antigua and Barbuda reparations support commission, who described Burnham's statement as "a movement in the correct direction."
Glover criticizes the intellectual premise of apologizing for historical events, stating that current generations cannot apologize for the actions of their ancestors. He contrasts Britain's situation with other historical slave-trading powers like the Ottoman Empire and Arab states, questioning why Britain is uniquely targeted. He also highlights that African leaders were involved in the slave trade and that Britain actively worked to abolish it, citing the Royal Navy's efforts to free slaves.
Glover concludes that Burnham's comments, while perhaps intended to convey hope, are instead dangerously misguided and could lead to substantial financial and political fallout for the UK. He suggests Burnham's focus should remain on his role as a mayor rather than engaging in international policy discussions with potentially costly implications.