Kemi Badenoch says there is no need for another formal apology for the slave trade
Kemi BadenochLeader of the Conservative Party
Badenoch says Burnham should be Britain's greatest defender instead of considering another formal apology, and cites Tony Blair's expression of sorrow and regret nearly twenty years ago.
“As Prime Minister, Andy Burnham should be Britain’s greatest defender. Instead, he is writing articles saying we need to confront our history (as if we haven't done enough of that) and considering another formal historical apology. Tony Blair already expressed Britain’s deep sorrow and regret for our role in the slave trade nearly twenty years ago. There is no need to do so again.”
Original post
Where this statement fits
Andy Burnham says he is open to a formal UK apology for slavery and rules out reparations; Conservative and Reform UK leaders object, and CARICOM calls for repair
In a Guardian article published on October 30, 2026, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed his "sorrow and regret" for the suffering caused by the transatlantic slave trade, offered a "structured dialogue" with those affected and said he was open to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state. He wrote that he did not believe financial reparations were the right answer and proposed a drive to ease debt costs for the poorest countries. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK's Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman said Britain should not apologise, and Badenoch argued that an apology would be used to seek money. The chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, welcomed the offer of dialogue but rejected Burnham's position on reparations. On November 2, Burnham's spokesperson said his expression of sorrow and regret was "distinct from a formal apology".
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Long post by the Conservative leader responding to Burnham's Guardian article, on a formal apology, reparations and debt relief.
Before the quotation
Earlier in the same post, Badenoch says slavery was an evil in which people from every continent and region took part, and asks whether Caribbean countries will seek the same apology from the descendants of African kingdoms, rulers and merchants who profited from the trade. She also says British taxpayers should not be held financially responsible.
After the quotation
She calls the debate "another navel-gazing distraction" and says that if every Commonwealth summit becomes a forum for demands for cash, "we need to start asking if it is worth the effort".
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is Andy Burnham's position, set out on October 30, 2026, that he is open to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state for the transatlantic slave trade while ruling out financial reparations. Badenoch says there is no need to apologise again and criticises Burnham for considering it, so she rejects the apology he is open to.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Andy Burnham
More from this case
Read the full caseEd Miliband says the dialogue will consider whether and how a formal apology could help
“The dialogue we're setting up will consider whether and how a formal apology could help acknowledge the history, help heal the division and support stronger relationships for the future”Read statement
Bell Ribeiro-Addy says openness to an apology is not commitment
“He has said he is open to a formal state apology. But openness is not commitment. Until the government makes a full and unequivocal apology, that remains the obstacle to progress.”Read statement
John Healey says Andy Burnham is open to a discussion about an apology but not reparations
“The prime minister has said, look, we are open to a discussion about an apology. He feels that that’s the right thing, particularly ahead of the Commonwealth leaders’ conference”Read statement
Share or embed this statement
The embed keeps its attribution link to The Dispute Index. Credit the image to The Dispute Index and link to the statement page.
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Kemi Badenoch says there is no need for another formal apology for the slave trade
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/7820-badenoch-says-burnham-should-be-britain-s-greatest
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Kemi Badenoch says there is no need for another formal apology for the slave trade". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/7820-badenoch-says-burnham-should-be-britain-s-greatest