Badenoch claims British empire was force for good overall: ‘We have had enough of apologies’
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the British Empire was “overall a force for good”, while opposing a formal British apology for the transatlantic slave trade. She argued that an apology could prompt Commonwealth countries to seek compensation and put pressure on the King ahead of next week’s leaders’ summit in Antigua.
Badenoch acknowledged that terrible things happened under empires but said Britain should look to the future and had “had enough of apologising”. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has offered Commonwealth nations the chance to discuss an apology, while ruling out financial reparations. Chancellor John Healey said considering an apology would not make people in Britain financially liable for events centuries ago.
In short
- Badenoch calls the British Empire “overall a force for good”.
- She opposes an apology, warning it could lead to compensation demands.
- Burnham is open to discussing an apology but rules out reparations.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of Badenoch’s position could argue that Britain should acknowledge historical abuses without accepting a present-day duty to apologise or compensate for them. They may see emphasis on the Empire’s overall legacy and future relations as a way to recognise its varied effects, avoid reopening contested claims over responsibility, and keep the Commonwealth summit focused on cooperation.
The case against
Critics could argue that a formal apology is a meaningful act of recognition for the grave harms of slavery and empire, and need not entail financial liability or reparations. They may say that refusing to apologise while stressing the Empire’s positive legacy risks minimising victims’ experiences and weakens trust with Commonwealth countries seeking an honest account of the past.
Explained simply
The British Empire was a collection of territories ruled or controlled by Britain over several centuries. Its history includes trade, migration and the spread of British institutions, as well as conquest, exploitation and the forced enslavement of millions of people.
The transatlantic slave trade forcibly transported Africans to the Americas, where many were enslaved; Britain played a major role before abolishing its participation in the trade in 1807 and slavery in most of its colonies in 1833. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of countries, many of them formerly under British rule, and its leaders meet to discuss shared issues.
Debate over an apology centres on how Britain should acknowledge this history and what, if anything, should follow. Kemi Badenoch leads the Conservative Party, while Andy Burnham is prime minister; their differing positions form part of wider discussion among Commonwealth countries about historical responsibility and possible redress.