UK Prime Minister Burnham plans to attend Commonwealth summit — Politico Europe

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans to attend the meeting of Commonwealth heads of government, which will take place on November 1–4 in Antigua and Barbuda. King Charles III, who is Head of the Commonwealth, has also confirmed his participation in the summit.

As Politico Europe reports, the British prime minister’s office has not yet officially confirmed Burnham’s trip. At the same time, three sources familiar with the publication’s internal discussions said preparations for his participation have intensified in recent weeks.

Summit in Antigua and Barbuda

The biennial meeting of Commonwealth heads of government will bring together representatives of 56 countries, most of which were formerly part of the British Empire. It could become Burnham’s first major diplomatic trip with Charles III since he took office as head of government in July.

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is also expected to attend the summit. One Politico Europe source said the prime minister’s personal participation would give him an opportunity to “lead the process” rather than observe the discussion remotely.

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Reparations demands

One of the summit’s central topics could be demands by Caribbean countries for reparations from the United Kingdom over its historical role in the slave trade. Last week, countries in the region held a conference on reparatory justice in Barbados.

At the previous Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, held in Samoa in 2024, calls for reparations dominated discussions. Then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the issue was not on the agenda, but other countries presented a communiqué with a direct reference to reparations.

London’s position on payments has not changed significantly since 2024. On September 7, Burnham’s spokesperson said that the United Kingdom would not pay reparations, calling the transatlantic slave trade abhorrent and stressing the need to acknowledge the mistakes of the past. Supporters of reparations note that they may include not only financial payments, but also climate change adaptation programmes and educational initiatives.