In a brilliant letter bound to spark controversy, former MEP and Talk TV host Alex Phillips has turned the tables on the ongoing debate over slavery reparations, pointing a finger at nations in Africa and the Middle East who were, historically, complicit in the slave trade.
In her characteristically bold style, Phillips recommended that Caribbean nations direct their demands for reparations not from Britain, but from countries like Morocco, Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Nigeria, and Ghana—nations that captured and sold slaves to European traders.
Phillips’ letter reminds readers of Britain’s pivotal role in abolishing the abominable practice. She highlights a monumental, yet often overlooked fact: that Britain, in 1833, spent a staggering 40% of its national budget to buy the freedom of slaves, following its historic decision to lead the world in abolishing slavery.
Not content with simply outlawing the trade, Britain also funded the West Africa Squadron, which patrolled the seas to stop slave ships. At the cost of 1,600 Royal Navy sailors, this task force freed over 150,000 slaves and captured more than 1,600 ships engaged in the vile practice.
In her letter, Phillips cheekily suggests that, given Britain’s efforts and sacrifice, Caribbean nations might want to show their gratitude by offering a hefty contribution in return. According to Phillips’ calculations, that would amount to a not-so-small sum of £480 billion—roughly 40% of Britain’s annual budget—and an additional £11.4 billion to account for the cost of the West Africa Squadron’s brave operations.
In a tongue-in-cheek gesture, she even offered a discount, suggesting the invoice could be settled for £450 billion, humorously citing the “blackhole” expected in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ upcoming budget as a reason for the reduced rate.
Phillips’ letter is, at its core, a sharp reminder of Britain’s role in ending the global slave trade and the enormous financial burden the nation undertook in doing so. In her signature no-nonsense style, she underlines the oft-ignored fact that slavery wasn’t solely the product of European exploitation but involved numerous African and Arab nations that captured and sold people into bondage.
A Brave New Take on the Reparations Debate
At a time when the calls for reparations from former colonial powers are growing louder, Phillips’ letter challenges a widely accepted narrative. Rather than a one-sided portrayal of slavery as a European-imposed horror, she reminds us of the uncomfortable truth—that many African and Middle Eastern nations were equally complicit in the trade.
Phillips’ letter draws attention to the extraordinary lengths Britain went to in abolishing slavery, including the unprecedented financial commitments that, at the time, equated to 40% of the entire national budget—a burden modern nations would balk at.
Britain, she notes, spent decades policing the seas to ensure the trade was stamped out globally, all at great personal and financial cost. Yet, the world rarely acknowledges this.
The Invoice is in the Post…
Phillips’ letter ends on a note of dry humour, with Britain requesting its due. “We would like you to thank us by offering to pay 40% of our annual budget this year and 2% of our GDP,” she writes. The former MEP adds that the bill is already in the post, underscoring her point with a sly nod to modern Britain’s own economic challenges.
Whether her critics will see this as a valid argument or simply provocative rhetoric, one thing is for sure: the brilliant orator and writer, Alex Phillips isn’t afraid to stir the pot, nor is she shy about challenging historical narratives. Her letter raises uncomfortable questions about who should be paying reparations—and whether Britain’s efforts in ending slavery deserve more credit than they are often given.
In a world increasingly obsessed with historical grievances, Phillips has offered an alternate perspective, sure to rile some and delight others. Well done Alex!
Claire Bullivant, Editor
Claire is the founder and editor of the Conservative Post and was a co-founder of the Conservative Democratic Organisation. Claire is now setting up www.GreatBritishPAC.com. Pre-register today.
