‘Profound anger’ among black voters over Kemi Badenoch’s slavery remarks

Kemi Badenoch’s remarks that Britain should not apologise for its role in transatlantic slavery have caused “profound anger, hurt and disbelief” among many black voters, according to David Weaver, chair of Operation Black Vote. He said her comments showed a “troubling absence of moral leadership” and urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to apologise, warning that both major parties risk alienating black voters.

Badenoch argued an apology could be used to press for money, while Burnham has said he is open to a formal state apology but ruled out reparations. Weaver welcomed Burnham’s willingness to apologise but criticised the government’s insistence on ruling out reparations, saying reparative justice involves more than money. He also said black voters who strongly backed Labour in 2024 feel despondent and taken for granted, including over the party’s handling of the Windrush scandal.