Nigel Farage says "I say no" to a formal apology for the slave trade
Nigel FarageLeader of Reform UK and MP for Clacton
Farage calls Burnham's openness to a formal apology ridiculous and says Britain has already atoned for its part in the slave trade.
“Yet Burnham is still “open” to making humiliating public pronouncements on Britain’s behalf. I say no. I say enough.”
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
The Reform UK leader's post quotes Burnham's Guardian article and sets out why he opposes a formal apology.
Before the quotation
Farage quotes Burnham's Guardian article and says an apology now "would be like someone in the year 2526 having to apologise for heinous acts conducted today". He calls the trade an awful part of global history but says Britain has already atoned through its role in abolition and the West Africa Squadron.
After the quotation
He says Britain is "no longer a forward-looking nation" and that it is time to put the British people first.
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. Farage rejects any formal apology and describes it as humiliating, so he opposes the position under review.
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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
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- Nigel Farage says "I say no" to a formal apology for the slave trade
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The Dispute Index. "Nigel Farage says "I say no" to a formal apology for the slave trade". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/7822-farage-calls-burnham-s-openness-to-a-formal