Nigel Farage faced criticism for his recent proposal to withhold visas from citizens of 19 countries seeking reparations from Britain for its involvement in the slave trade. The leader of Reform UK targeted the United Nations (UN) and countries like Jamaica, Ghana, Barbados, Nigeria, and Haiti, which supported a UN resolution calling for compensation from slave-trading nations.
Despite global pressure, Keir Starmer dismissed the idea, with Farage promising to take action against African and Caribbean nations pushing for reparations, though he did not explicitly mention deporting their citizens if he were to become Prime Minister. During a press conference in Warwickshire, Farage accused the UN of using these nations to undermine the principles of the UK.
Historically, between the 15th and 19th centuries, an estimated 12 to 15 million Africans were enslaved, with around two million perishing on slave ships en route to the Americas. The affected nations argue that reparations are necessary to acknowledge the enduring economic repercussions and suffering caused by the slave trade to European-controlled colonies.
Farage defended Britain’s past, acknowledging both proud and regrettable aspects of its history, including efforts to abolish slavery. In response, a Labour spokesperson criticized Farage’s proposal as a mere political stunt that would not enhance border security. Reform’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, asserted that the UK should not serve as a financial resource for historical grievances and should not be openly criticized on the international stage.
The UN resolution received widespread support, with 123 countries voting in favor, and only the United States, Israel, and Argentina opposing it. The UK was among the 52 nations that abstained from voting. Ghana’s foreign minister emphasized that the demand for compensation aimed to support victims and promote education and skills training, rather than seeking personal gain.
Reform UK identified the 19 nations affected by Farage’s proposal, including Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, CARICOM, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Montserrat, Nigeria, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.