πππ«ππ‘ ππππ‘, ππ¨πππ² π π«ππ¦ππ¦πππ« ππ‘π ππ’π«ππ‘πππ² π¨π πππ°ππ«π ππ¦π’ππ‘-ππππ§π₯ππ²
ππ‘π ππππ‘ πππ«π₯ π¨π πππ«ππ² (ππππβππππ)
I reflect once again on a man whose life continues to fascinate me. Three times Prime Minister, a man of profound personal religious faith balanced with religious toleration, who recognised that education was the key to social mobility and that organic change in political reform reconciled the people with a new system. He was the embodiment of Noblesse oblige through the writings of Edmund Burke which gave him a humanity that transcended race and class. I have published his travel diaries through Europe which show his admiration for the classical past and his experiences and exposure to the new democracy in America was an advanced formula which could benefit his country. This journey shaped his vision for the future of his ministeries as Chief Secretary to Ireland, Colonial Secretary and Prime Minister.
On Friday, Andrew O'Shaughnessy and I gave a talk in Antigua about his life, and it suddenly struck me that it was the first time that we had given our talk in a commonwealth country that has benefitted from his Abolition Act of 1833 that abolish slavery in all the colonies of the British Empire. It was humbling to share the story of a man that is barely known to the people of Antigua, who benefitted from his passion to make the world a better place in his life time.
It was particularly poignant to share the last page of the appendix in our book that shows his notes on the commerciality of slavery. An algorithm that he used to identify the cost to the Treasury to give each individual slave their freedom and an apprenticeship scheme in place of being owned by plantation owner.
Thereβs something very special about seeing the connection go far beyond Britain, and about bringing his voice back, through his writings, unlocking the past to bring clarity into the present day.
On his birthday, I am remembering the man and his achievements, but appreciating the enduring power of his story. I have made a documentary called π»ππ π΄πππππ ππ πππ π΄ππ which I will share soon.
Knowsley Hall Anti-Slavery International The Anti-Slavery Collective Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Live Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office @millreefclub
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