Former Conservative home secretary Suella Braverman has proposed that former British colonies should pay reparations to Britain, arguing that the empire laid the foundations for flourishing democracies. The suggestion, made in a campaign event in Waterlooville, Hampshire, on 1 May 2026, has drawn sharp criticism from global leaders and commentators.
Braverman's Reverse Reparations Demand
Braverman, now Reform UK's equalities spokesperson, stated: "Former colonies should pay the British back for the considerable investment, effort and contribution that this country made which laid the foundations for many flourishing democracies today." This reverse reparations idea flips the traditional narrative that colonising nations owe restitution to those they enslaved and exploited.
Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley dismissed the proposal as "asinine," saying: "I cannot believe we are being asked to respond to the suggestion that the descendants of the enslaved should pay for the machinery that oppressed them." Mottley's rebuke highlights the absurdity of demanding payment from victims of colonialism.
Ethnic Minorities Leading the Charge
Braverman, herself a descendant of colonised peoples, is not alone in this stance. Her Reform UK colleague Zia Yusuf, the unelected "shadow home secretary," called reparations "insulting" and proposed banning visas for people from nations seeking repair. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch labelled reparations a "scam." Nels Abbey, an author and broadcaster, argues that this phenomenon reflects a political culture where rightwing ethnic minorities must be the most extreme on race and colonialism, laundering racism into mainstream Britain.
Crime and Policing: Race Takes Center Stage
Abbey notes that crime discourse in Britain has become topsy-turvy: police now swiftly announce the race of suspects in serious crimes to preempt racist riots. When the suspect is white, outrage warriors lose their voice. Conversely, crimes against ethnic minorities often go unremarked by self-styled patriots. This selective outrage underscores a racialised approach to justice.
Poverty and Racism Intertwined
The right has weaponised the economic struggles of "white working-class people" against black and brown communities, Abbey writes. This racialised category obscures the root cause—poverty—and diverts attention from policies like wealth taxes that could address inequality. "It is cheaper to keep impoverished people in a perpetual racial death-cage match than it is to inflame donors or '£5m gift givers' with a wealth tax," he observes.
Britain's Political Decline
Abbey laments that Britain's once-sensible centre-right has been dragged into the ridiculous by the far right. The country now resembles a comedy troupe, with a leading politician (about to face a byelection against a dustbin-themed superhero) claiming police treat black people better than whites. With poverty levels higher than Mississippi, the poorest US state, and rampant racist lunacy, Britain is unrecognisable from its past.
A Glimmer of Hope: The England Football Team
On a positive note, the diverse and meritocratic England football team remains a force, thanks to immigrants—the "most precious fruits" of empire. Players like Djed Spence and Jude Bellingham represent the best of Britain. Yet Abbey questions: "Is home even worth coming to?"
Nels Abbey is an author, broadcaster, and founder of Uppity: the Intellectual Playground.
