Source: Africa Publicity
The leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has ignited political debate after criticizing Britain’s decision to abstain from a United Nations vote on a landmark resolution addressing slavery and reparations.
The resolution, introduced by Ghana at the United Nations, described slavery as the “greatest crime against humanity” and called for the establishment of a global reparations fund. It also urged countries to formally acknowledge and apologize for their roles in the transatlantic slave trade.
The United Kingdom joined 51 other nations—mostly European—in abstaining from the vote, a move that has drawn scrutiny both domestically and internationally.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Badenoch sharply criticized the government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, questioning why the UK did not actively oppose the measure. She warned that supporting such a resolution could expose British taxpayers to “trillions in reparations.”
“Britain should not be paying reparations,” Badenoch argued, adding that the country had historically “led the fight to end slavery.”
Her remarks have deepened divisions over how Britain should confront its colonial past.
Supporters of the resolution argue that reparations are a necessary step toward justice and historical accountability, while critics maintain that modern taxpayers should not bear financial responsibility for historical injustices.
The abstention places the UK in a cautious middle ground—neither endorsing nor rejecting a growing global movement calling for reparative justice.
However, Badenoch’s intervention signals that the issue is likely to remain a contentious flashpoint in British politics, particularly as international pressure mounts for former colonial powers to address their historical roles in slavery.
