The Guardian view on apologising for slavery: a necessary process has at last begun | Editorial

Andy Burnham’s commitment to a structured dialogue with Caribbean governments is a step forward, but they need more than words

There was a risk, in the run-up to the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) this week, that important discussions could be derailed by the UK government’s refusal to apologise for slavery and the slave trade, combined with its continuing rejection of calls for financial reparations. For the Caribbean governments and campaigners pushing for these steps, the siting of the biennial gathering in Antigua and Barbuda offered a vital opportunity to press their case and raise awareness of the challenges that they face.

That deadlock was broken when Andy Burnham wrote in the Guardian at the weekend of his “sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of so many millions of people”, and pledged to listen to calls for a formal apology as part of a structured dialogue. While he reiterated the UK government’s position that financial reparations will not be offered, he also indicated a willingness to discuss aid, investment and the restructuring of debt. King Charles did not say sorry when he addressed Chogm on Tuesday, but a very necessary process of reconciliation and redress has at last begun.