UK Agrees 12-Month Slavery Legacy Talks as Caribbean Leaders Press Reparations

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Nov 5

Caribbean leaders said the UK accepted a structured dialogue within 12 months on the slave trade and its legacy, with the framework to be set by year-end or early 2027.
Andy Burnham proposed the talks, signaled openness to an apology, but ruled out reparations, instead offering debt-reset discussions and £40 million for Caribbean infrastructure over three years.
Gaston Browne said reparations must remain part of the dialogue, while stressing the region would not make unreasonable demands and still expected consensus with London.
Campaigners and regional figures said debt relief and development aid cannot substitute for reparatory justice, pointing to Caricom's 10-point plan, which includes debt cancellation and monetary compensation.
The dispute now turns on whether the talks stay focused on aid and development goals or expand to reparations defined by affected Caribbean communities themselves.