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Antigua’s PM told ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship it was “no wonder” Kemi Badenoch was not in No 10
The Prime Minister of Antigua, who is hosting King Charles this week and the Commonwealth leader, has insisted the debate about the UK paying reparations does not stop just because Andy Burnham has indicated he is open to making a formal apology for Britain’s role in the slave trade.
He warned other countries would be encouraged to carry out future atrocities if no compensation were paid.
Gaston Browne was speaking to ITV News after he attended a Sunday morning church service alongside King Charles and Queen Camillia, who has now joined her husband on his Caribbean Tour.
Mr Browne also said Kemi Badenoch did not deserve to be a prime minster, after the Conservative leader said the time for making apologies for the slave trade should stop.
Mr Burnham announced yesterday that his government was prepared to talk about an apology – which no British prime minister has done before – but said the British public should not pay compensation for what happened in the past.
Mr Browne said: “I understand the politics in the UK, in which it may be a difficult proposition for him to agree to any form of reparations, but that does not negate the need for reparations.”
He insisted that Caribbean nations were “not coming to Britain and making demands that you cannot afford” but he argued the compensation money should be found in Britain’s budget for overseas development.
And he warned about the consequences for the world if Britain did not pay money for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.
“If there is no compensation, there’s likely to be a repeat of those atrocities sometime in the future. And you can see what is happening globally already”, he said, in an interview at his office in the Antiguan capital St John’s.
He said there could “if there is not some form of deterrent, there could be a repeat”.
When asked if he was referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he just answered, “you can see what is happening globally”.
The Antiguan premier added: “I’m saying here that countries are becoming far more brutal. And if there’s not some form of compensation and even liability for future generations, the present generation must understand that the actions could also affect future generations.”
Asked about Kemi Badenoch’s view that Britain should stop apologising for the past and that Caribbean nations were using the Commonwealth summit to extract “global welfare” from the UK, Mr Browne lashed out at her.
He said: “Well, I think she’s misguided. And no wonder she is the leader of the opposition and not the Prime Minister. Right?”
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Asked if she should reassess her position, Gaston Browne said: “Well, that’s up to her. But we do not share her sentiments.”
The Prime Minister also said he had great respect for the British Monarch, but repeated his view that Antigua should replace him as head of state.
He said: “I can say to you, I am a Republican. So if you asked me about my personal view, I would like to see Antigua and Barbuda become a republic… but I have to recognise and accept the fact that there are certain constitutional provisions to become a republic, and that, ultimately, it is the decision of the people to determine whether or not we become a republic.”
The constitution requires more than two-thirds of Antiguans to vote to replace the British Monarch and change the constitution.
“So until such time as the question is put to them, I have to accept that, you know, King Charles remains. I serve the King, and he will continue to benefit from, you know, all of the courtesies and respect as our King … but again, you know, from time to time we have to test the waters”.
This is the Talking Royals – our weekly podcast about the royal family, with ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship and Producer Lizzie Robinson