Keir Starmer’s promise not to cave into new calls for reparations sparked lively debate on GB News as Jacob Rees-Mogg was joined by anti-racism activist Imarn Ayton.
It comes amid scathing attacks on the prime minister launched by his own backbench MPs Clive Lewis and Diane Abbott, who accused Starmer of having a ‘colonial mindset’.
Speaking on GB News, Ayton argued there are “many reasons” why Britain should acknowledge its past wrongdoings and shell out billions to make amends.
“This is to do with slavery and colonialism. I want to make clear this country transported 3.3 million Africans across the Atlantic and transitioned from the slavery to political, economical and cultural domination of people”, he said.
The pair locked horns in a lively debate on GB News
GB NEWS
“The British colonised 22 countries in Africa over 173 years and they also colonised over 15 countries in the Caribbean. When we think about these figures that have been thrown around as of late, it’s easy to square it. It’s understandable.”
Jacob waded in to contend that the nations Britain once wreaked havoc in should be paying back themselves, with some doing “remarkably well” since being liberated.
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Sir Keir Starmer was in Samoa to meet with Commonwealth leaders
GETTY“They did well because the British gave them the rule of law, democracy and capitalism”, he said.
“The British Empire was an amazing force for good for civilisation and for raising people’s standards of living. So why should we have to pay for doing that? Surely we should be paid.”
Ayton hit back: “I think that’s a very bold question to ask a strong, black woman on your channel. I actually pose this question to you.
“Would you say that about the Jews? First and foremost, you could argue easily that the Jewish community, the Israeli Jews, benefited from the Holocaust and benefited from Hitler because they were given the state of Israel, their life expectancy improved and their GDP improved.
Ayton compared Britain's colonial past to the Holocaust
GB NEWS
“Israel’s GDP improved as a result of Germany being given reparations in 1952. Would you say on national TV that the Jews should be happy and thanking Hitler about the Holocaust?”
Jacob argued the point was “just nonsense”, adding: “The British and the Balfour Declaration said there should be a homeland for the Jewish people before the Holocaust.
“That wasn’t a consequence of the Holocaust. It was a British policy beforehand. You’re simply historically wrong. Let’s go back to slavery, what we’re talking about.
“I’m afraid your argument is unbelievably nonsensical.”
Starmer said the subject of reparations was not brought up at a recent Commonwealth summit.
The prime minister was in Samoa for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) last week, and has been facing mounting pressure from some Caribbean leaders who want the UK to consider paying reparations for the impact of the transatlantic slave trade.
They also want a formal apology from the countries responsible.
Starmer had already rejected the calls, saying it would lead to “very long, endless discussions” about past wrongs.
The UK government is yet to falter on its stance with repeated insistence that there will be no reparations or apology.
