Nigel Farage faces criticism for proposing to block visas for individuals from 19 countries seeking reparations for Britain’s involvement in the slave trade. The leader of Reform UK targeted the United Nations (UN) and countries such as Jamaica, Ghana, Barbados, Nigeria, and Haiti, which were mentioned in a recent UN resolution calling for compensation from nations that benefited from slavery.
Despite increasing global pressure, Keir Starmer has stated that he has no plans to implement such a policy. Farage, in a press conference in Warwickshire, accused the UN of using these countries as pawns to undermine British values.
Historically, between the 15th and 19th centuries, an estimated 12 to 15 million Africans were enslaved, with around two million perishing during the transatlantic journey. Affected nations argue that reparations would acknowledge the lasting economic and human toll of slavery under European colonial powers like France, the UK, Portugal, and Spain.
Farage acknowledged Britain’s dark past but also highlighted its efforts to abolish slavery globally. However, a Labour spokesperson dismissed Farage’s proposal as a “desperate gimmick,” criticizing Reform UK’s stance on immigration.
Reform’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, emphasized that the UK should not be seen as an “ATM for ethnic grievances of the past” on the world stage. The UN resolution received strong support with 123 votes in favor, while the UK was among 52 countries that abstained.
Ghana’s foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, clarified that African leaders seek justice and support for victims through compensation, educational programs, and skills training funds. Farage’s proposal would impact 19 nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Ghana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, and others.