Labour MP urges Black Britons to pressure Andy Burnham over slavery reparations

The Clapham & Brixton Hill MP told attendees at a conference: “As a politician, there is nothing that motivates politicians like whether or not they are going to win their next election.

“There are enough people of African descent within our countries, within Britain in particular, that would decide that.

“Imagine if they were all rooting for the same cause, rooting for reparative justice, what a difference that would make to policy.”

The black population of Britain stood at 2.4 million in the 2021 Census, equating to around four per cent of the overall population.

However, the black population is concentrated in major cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham.

Labour currently holds 73 out of 90 seats across the three English cities, with Ipsos finding that 68 per cent of black voters supported Sir Keir Starmer at the last general election.

Ms Ribeiro-Addy’s own seat has a black population of around 22 per cent.

The 41-year-old, who heads the all-parliamentary group of reparations, also suggested trade union members could lend their support.

She said: “Decisions are going to be made in London.

“Right across the UK there are millions of people of African descent and allies in the churches and trade union and town hall ready to fight alongside you.”

Ms Ribeiro-Addy made the remarks shortly after it was revealed that Caribbean nations were drawing up a multi-pronged “action plan” to secure negotiations on reparations.

A United Nations committee on the elimination of racial discrimination also said countries were legally obliged to consider reparations for the transatlantic slave trade and take other ⁠measures to address the enduring ⁠legacy of racial discrimination.

Despite growing calls from Caribbean nations for trillions of pounds in reparations, Andy Burnham last week rejected the suggestion the UK is obliged to make payments.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The transatlantic slave trade was abhorrent.

"We fully recognise its horrific impacts and the ongoing strength of feeling it arouses.

“The UK’s position is clear: we do not and will not pay reparations.

“The UK is committed to continued dialogue with all our partners on legacies of the past."

Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage revealed he would battle for Britain not to pay reparations if he wins the next general election.

"Barbados, alongside other Caribbean countries, is preparing to take Britain to court for another reparations shakedown," Mr Farage said. "I will never let this happen as Prime Minister."

He added: "Let me be clear. If these countries continue to push for reparations under a Reform Government, I’ll suspend visas to their nationals. If they want a fight, I’ll give them one.

British ships transported around 3.4 million Africans across the Atlantic between 1640 and 1807.

However, the Royal Navy’s West Africa Squadron ultimately led the charge in clamping down on the practice, seizing roughly 1,600 slave ships and freeing around 150,000 enslaved Africans by 1860.

While the UK abolished slavery in 1833, France only definitely outlawed the act in 1848 and the United States waited until 1865.