The country grew rich from slavery, but those who directly benefited the most – and still do – were wealthy. They exploited everyone

So it’s a “no” to reparations, yet again. No to repairing the damage done by the gravest and longest-sustained of human rights abuses, says Keir Starmer, once a crusading human rights lawyer. Buttressing his position is the foreign secretary, David Lammy, previously an advocate of reparations.

No from King Charles. Can’t turn back the clock, even if it is a rather nice clock bought with colonially ill-gotten gains.

Nels Abbey is an author, broadcaster and the founder of Uppity: the Intellectual Playground

Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.

Continue reading...