Kemi Badenoch defends against calls for apology over slave trade
Kemi Badenoch has responded to critics advocating for Britain’s apology for its role in the slave trade, asserting that such an apology would portray the nation as weak, reports BritPanorama.
Highlighting the lack of accountability shown by other nations, including China, Badenoch stated that these countries are not offering apologies for their historical actions. She remarked, “When is China sorry? China did all sorts of things. It’s not out there apologising. The purpose of the apology is to make us look weak.”
In her remarks, Badenoch expressed her belief that apologising would only open the floodgates for further demands from other nations, which she claims the British taxpayer cannot afford. “Once we start looking weak,” she continued, “then we have every man and his dog making demands and sending us an invoice.”
Although Badenoch described China as an “economic threat” to the UK, she did not rule out the possibility of engaging in business with President Xi. She pointed to China’s espionage activities aimed at the UK and stressed the need for a realistic approach towards China, which she described as having a long-term strategy unlike the UK’s shorter-term governance cycles.
Badenoch warned that the Western countries, including the UK, are at risk of becoming “susceptible” to coercion from China, which she stated has a “thousand year plan.” This assertion was underscored by recent statements from former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove, who cautioned that China has developed “weapons of mass disruption” capable of crippling Britain’s vital infrastructure.
Experts have raised alarms that hostile actors could exploit technology to manipulate Britain’s agricultural and production sectors. In her speech, Badenoch once again cautioned about the vulnerabilities in UK infrastructure due to foreign cyber threats, emphasising the urgent need for vigilance.
Her statements reflect an increasingly assertive stance on foreign policy, grappling with the complexities posed by modern geopolitical dynamics.
As the UK navigates its role on the world stage, the delicate balance between historical accountability and national strength remains a contentious point of discussion.
