Absolutely spot on!
Slavery was an evil in which people from every continent and region participated. We should be honest about the whole history, not select the parts that are politically convenient today, especially given Britain's leading role in ending the transatlantic slave trade.
If Caribbean countries are asking Britain for a formal apology for Britainโs role in the transatlantic slave trade, will they also be asking the same of the descendants of African kingdoms, rulers and merchants who captured, sold and profited from the trade?
On demands for reparations, whether through cash or debt relief, we have been down this track before. Twenty-five years ago, Jubilee 2000, Drop the Debt and Make Poverty History argued that cancelling the debts of poorer countries would give them a fresh start. More than $100 billion of debt was eventually written off, but many of those countries have since built up even bigger debts. Labour are already spending too much on Britain's welfare state, now is not the time for Andy Burnham to be providing global welfare.
There is no reason British taxpayers today should be held financially responsible for things that happened generations before any of us were born. And I have even less patience for political elites in commonwealth countries who donโt know how to make their own citizens prosperous now looking for another opportunity to blame Britain.
As Prime Minister, Andy Burnham should be Britainโs greatest defender. Instead, he is writing articles saying we need to confront our history (as if we haven't done enough of that) and considering another formal historical apology. Tony Blair already expressed Britainโs deep sorrow and regret for our role in the slave trade nearly twenty years ago. There is no need to do so again.
This is all another navel-gazing distraction. The Commonwealth should be looking forward, not endlessly backwards. That means economic partnerships to make us all richer and deeper military and security cooperation against common threats. If every Commonwealth summit becomes an exercise in presenting Britain with demands for cash then we need to start asking if it is worth the effort.
Welcome back @henry_arundell
@BathRugby are glad to see you on the pitch.
Stunning colours in the Autumn sunshine @WestonbirtArb
A truly wonderful site for a wellbeing walk.
Too late @history99917180
Gosh, no punches pulled & a coruscating assessment.
I think that this sort of statement, from a U.K. university @uniofleicester is unprecedented.
I love irony.
The idea that I need to turn my attention to flood prevention whilst I look out of the window whilst a hosepipe ban is still in place!
Residents and businesses are being urged to prepare as Wiltshire Council warns prolonged rainfall and winter storms could bring more flooding.
Director of Highways, David Bullock shared how people can prepare and what the authority is doing to reduce the risk.
@wiltscouncil
Saw this on Facebook & immediately thought of @history99917180
How much fraud would he have been able to commit, if he was thinking straight?
Doesnโt paint the Civil Service vetting procedure look very good, indeed it makes Reformโs look like Developed Vetting of the highest order.
'I wasn't thinking straight' says five jobs civil servant bbc.in/3W28MTV
About time too.
Great news for the UK.
Good news - Telford Gun Hall opening marks return of tank barrel production to UK
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm70โฆ
๐งต 1/5
Itโs that time of year when the Poppy myths and legends come out and we get told the correct way to wear our Poppy, on which side & where the leaf should point.
It is all ๐ ๐ฉ
๐งต 4/5
Donโt let anyone tell you where to wear your Poppy, or what to do with the leaf. Wear whatever colour Poppy you like (except white as that raises funds for a political party with no money passed on to charities).
Replying to @BrittanyFerries
@BrittanyFerries @Condor_Ferries
Does anyone pick up the phone?
Having cancelled sailings from Poole to Guernsey it is impossible to speak to anyone regarding what alternatives you are making.
An e-mail response states you will respond within 3 days. Not much use for a Fri sail.
A wonderful obituary for my old Chemistry master at Kimbolton School.
I have happy memories of the most fantastic firework displays on the Mall.
RIP and keep those Angels oohing & aahing with those heavenly fireworks.๐
telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2โฆ




















