Commonwealth politicians have vowed to continue seeking reparations for slavery, despite Reform UK's pledge to halt visas for nationals of countries making such demands. The party's policy has drawn criticism from figures across the political spectrum, who warn it will harm and isolate Britain.
Arley Gill, head of the Grenada Reparations Commission, dismissed Reform's stance, saying: "It is not funny that they think after years of invading and colonising a people that they think a British visa for those same people is a privilege." Ralph Gonsalves, opposition leader and former prime minister of St Vincent and Grenadines, accused Reform leader Nigel Farage of "doing an imitative Trump" and seeking a "cultural wedge issue" that would isolate Britain further.
Hilary Beckles, chair of the Caricom reparations commission, called for "inter-nation dialogue" and said the idea of punishing victims of crime was "tragic". He added: "Crimes against humanity have been committed against so many people on this planet and most have now received some form of apology or reparations."
Neville Watson, former Reform UK branch chair, said the party's visa policy would "punish nations for raising legitimate historical claims" and compound UK skills shortages. Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy described the policy as a "ridiculous provocation", emphasising that reparatory justice involves "acknowledgment, truth-telling and structural repair".
