# Burnham ally defends slavery apology stance after government warned over ‘very risky path’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/burnham-ally-defends-slavery-apology-stance-after-government-warned-over-very-risky-path/
- Published: 2026-11-10T18:54:03+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T07:56:17+00:00
- Original publisher: The Independent (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/burnham-slavery-apology-elmore-jenrick-b3082692.html
- Topics: Government, Politics

## Key points

- Burnham has offered talks on a slavery apology.
- The government says it will not offer financial reparations.
- MPs disagree over what the dialogue could lead to.

## Summary

Andy Burnham has offered discussions on a formal apology for Britain’s historical role in slavery, reversing the previous government’s approach, while ruling out financial reparations. The move has reopened debate over how the UK should acknowledge slavery and what, if anything, should follow an apology.

Foreign Office minister Chris Elmore said the dialogue with international partners is time-limited and intended to learn from the past and work towards a constructive solution over the coming year or so; he said the government’s position on financial redress had not changed. Sir Oliver Dowden warned the process could lead to pressure for reparations, while Robert Jenrick criticised it as misplaced and Jeremy Corbyn said reparations would remain part of the debate. A Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting communique confirmed Britain had agreed to discuss slavery’s legacy.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.