It comes as the Prime Minister, who flew into the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Antigua and Barbuda, faces a row over reparations for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade
Andy Burnham has joined King Charles in Antigua and Barbuda ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting(Image: Chris Jackson/Press Association)
Andy Burnham is set out to outline plans to support Commonwealth countries grappling with higher debt costs as he joins the King at a major summit.
It comes as the Prime Minister, who flew into the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Antigua and Barbuda on Monday evening, faces a row over reparations for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. The PM has opened the door for a formal apology but rebuffed calls for reparations from some Caribbean nations.
Downing Street said Mr Burnham, who will join King Charles at the two-day summit on Tuesday, will also set out how the UK will play a leading role in creating a new era for the Commonwealth. This will include the Prime Minister setting out his vision for supporting countries struggling with debt costs.
No10 said around half the developing countries around the world grappling with debt are in the Commonwealth and rising global interest rate costs are exacerbating the problem. Mr Burnham said: “In today’s more divided, unpredictable world, the Commonwealth has the potential to be a powerful force for good, bringing together a third of the global population, and I believe it is key that the UK plays its full role in that.
“Britain is bringing a new approach to this meeting as we look to reshape a new era for the Commonwealth, as well as being open to discussions about the past.” Speaking ahead of the summit, he added: “From trade to defence and security, together Commonwealth members can drive greater growth and opportunity for all of its citizens.”
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband described transatlantic slavery as a “horrific chapter in our history”. He said: “We in Britain are rightly proud of our nation’s great history, and true patriotism comes from having the confidence to talk about difficult chapters in our past.
“We are strong enough. We are self-confident enough to have this conversation. The question of a formal apology will be a major part of the dialog we are establishing. Of course, a formal apology would be a significant step, and we think it’s right to discuss that properly with the countries and communities most affected.”
But the senior Cabinet minister said the UK government does not believe that financial reparations are the “right or feasible answer to transatlantic slavery”. He added: “We don’t think the right response is to ask British taxpayers today to make financial payments for these historic acts.”
On Monday, No10 also defended flying the government plane to Manchester to pick up the Prime Minister on the way to the summit in the Caribbean. The flight took off from London Stansted at around 6am for Antigua and Barbuda carrying senior officials but without Mr Burnham on board.
He was collected from Manchester along with his wife Marie-France van Heel around half-an-hour later, where the Government plane was grounded for around an hour before setting off again via Canada for a refuelling stop.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister’s travel arrangements are made on the basis of security, operational requirements, and value for money for the taxpayer.
“The Prime Minister’s travel arrangements reflect where he was carrying out official government business at the end of last week. He spent the day in Scotland on Friday, returned to Manchester to work from Number 10 North on Friday evening.”
