The debate if UK can shell out billions of pounds to repair the damage done across the world has been polarising.
Heads of 56 commonwealth nations signed a statement last month stressing that the time has come for a dialogue on reparations for slavery.
The debate on whether the UK should shell out billions of pounds for slavery and colonialism has been a polarising issue in the country.
Estimating the real cost of slavery is difficult, a report last year said the UK is likely to owe more than £18tn in reparations for its historical role in slavery in 14 countries.
While Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy ruled out paying any monetary compensation, former Member of Parliament (MP) and Tory leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said the nations once ruled by the UK should pay for the “rule of law, democracy and capitalism” brought by the British.
We asked the public whether Britain should pay reparations for slavery and colonialism.
Leanne Toye, 27, Savers store supervisor, Northern Ireland
“Absolutely! Reparations should be paid. Nothing has been done to make right the horrors of colonialism. All this has been hidden away and kept secret. Efforts must be made to pay the compensations but even if this country cannot afford monetary compensation, mistakes must be acknowledged.”
Ted Cornish, 27, Photographer, Caerphilly
“We should pay reparations. It need not necessarily be financial but there should be efforts to make right a big wrong, even something that happened a long time back. We went into countries which never wanted us and colonised them. Some say we brought law and technology to these countries, but it does not mean nations which were never colonised do not have technology or law.”
Justin Callen, 23, Salesman, Bridgend
“I feel that slavery and colonialism were awful things but as a country, the UK cannot afford to pay monetary reparations. We just do not have the money. This generation is not responsible for what happened so many years ago. The UK is not doing well financially anyway. There must be another way we could help the countries we once colonised. ”
Gerraid Smith, 66, Retired, Cardiff
“I do not agree with paying money for colonialism or slavery. Colonialism had its negatives and positives but if we were to pay money, where do you start? How would you find all the families whose ancestors were taken as slaves? Every country had a role in this. We can’t judge people of 18th century by today’s standards.”
Syed Muhammmad Hussain, 26, Student, Pakistan
“They should start with an apology first. I am not sure anyone cannot afford to pay trillions of pounds that may be owed but an acknowledgment and apology will be a good start. I am not sure if paying money will make any difference because that money may never reach the people who deserve it.”