Kemi Badenoch fumes at Andy Burnham's 'navel-gazing' after PM opens door to slavery apology
The Tory leader reprimanded the Prime Minister for failing in his role as 'Britain’s greatest defender'
TL;DR
- Kemi Badenoch criticized Andy Burnham for his comments on a potential UK apology for slavery, calling it "navel-gazing."
- Burnham expressed personal sorrow and regret for the suffering caused by the transatlantic slave trade and stated he was open to calls for a formal apology.
- Badenoch stated that Tony Blair had already expressed Britain's "deep sorrow and regret" and that there was no need to do so again.
- Badenoch argued that the Commonwealth should focus on future economic partnerships and security cooperation, not "endlessly backwards" demands.
- She rejected reparations, arguing that current Britons should not be held financially responsible for historical wrongs and criticized political elites in Commonwealth countries for seeking to "blame Britain."
- Burnham advocated for a renewed conversation on the UK's role in the slave trade, believing Britain can show leadership by addressing it.