Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has moved to reassure the British public that the government's consideration of a formal apology for the UK's role in the transatlantic slave trade will not result in additional financial burdens for taxpayers. In an interview on the BBC's Newscast podcast, Miliband emphasized that confronting this historical issue is a moral imperative, not a financial one.
A Shift from Past Evasions
Miliband criticized previous administrations for their reluctance to fully address the legacy of slavery, pointing to former Prime Minister Tony Blair's 2007 statement of "deep sorrow and regret" as an example of half-measures. He noted that Blair's remarks were later diluted by Downing Street, leaving a lingering sense of unfinished business. "Tony Blair did sort of do a kind of sorry not sorry situation," Miliband said. "He kind of expressed sorrow, and then said sorry, and then it was walked back by number 10."
The foreign secretary revealed that the issue has persistently haunted the Commonwealth, often causing friction at international gatherings. He recounted how the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa devolved into a "verbal punch up" over the matter, underscoring the need for a more honest approach. "This has really been hanging around as an issue for the Commonwealth for sort of 20 years," Miliband added. "But it's grown and grown."
A Structured Dialogue
In a departure from past practice, the government has initiated what it calls a "structured dialogue" with affected nations, with the possibility of a formal apology aligning with the G20 Summit in Manchester in November 2027. Miliband argued that such a move demonstrates strength, not weakness. "Fragile weak countries can't face up to their past," he said. "I'm really proud of Britain, but being proud of your country is also being willing to face up to things you didn't do, right?"
The foreign secretary has personally sought to educate himself on the harrowing details of the slave trade, requesting a historical digest of the UK's involvement. He described reading about the conditions on slave ships and the fate of those who survived the Middle Passage as "really pretty harrowing." Over three million people were shipped with the complicity of the British state, and hundreds of thousands perished during the journey.
No Reparations
While the prime minister has ruled out paying reparations, the government's openness to an apology marks a significant shift in tone. Critics may question whether an apology without financial commitment is sufficient, but Miliband insists that the process is about creating space for the Commonwealth to move forward. As the UK prepares to host the G20, the world will be watching to see if this dialogue leads to a meaningful reckoning with the past.
