Several African and Caribbean nations, including Nigeria and Jamaica, may face stricter visa policies from the United Kingdom if the opposition party, Reform UK, wins the next general election.
The proposal, unveiled by the party’s home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, is aimed at countries demanding reparations for slavery.
Yusuf argued that such nations have benefited significantly from British visas and foreign aid over the years, insisting that continued demands for compensation are unjustified.
According to the plan, countries pushing for reparations—among them Nigeria, Jamaica, Kenya, Haiti, Guyana, Barbados and The Bahamas—could see their citizens subjected to tighter entry restrictions into the UK.
The development follows a recent resolution by the United Nations calling on former colonial powers to provide reparations for slavery. The resolution described the transatlantic slave trade as one of the gravest crimes against humanity. While many countries supported the move, Britain abstained.
Leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, criticised the UN’s position, rejecting calls for apology or compensation. He maintained that Britain should not be held financially responsible for historical actions dating back centuries.
The party also pledged to significantly reduce foreign aid spending to £1 billion annually—about a 90 per cent cut from current levels—if elected.
The UK government reiterated its long-standing stance, acknowledging the horrors of slavery but ruling out reparations. Opposition leader Keir Starmer similarly dismissed the idea of compensation, stating that priority should be placed on present and future challenges rather than historical grievances.
In recent years, countries such as Ghana and regional blocs including the Caribbean Community and the African Union have intensified calls for reparatory justice.
These demands include formal apologies, restitution of cultural artefacts, and broader measures to address the enduring impact of slavery.
The debate continues to generate global attention, highlighting tensions between historical accountability and contemporary political and economic realities.
