Letter from Westminster

Written by Stephen Williams MP and published in Clifton Chronicle on Mon 15th May 2006

Next year Parliament will be holding a series of events to mark the passing of the Bill to abolish the slave trade in 1807. This was indeed a remarkable event; a major Parliamentary blow for freedom while the nation was fighting a bitter war against Napoleonic France. It was a triumph for William Wilberforce and it is right that Westminster and Hull, Wilberforce's constituency, should play a leading role in events next year.

But the events of 1807 deserve a more balanced approach than a 21st century celebration of the humanity of our ancestors. Firstly, the Act abolished throughout the British Empire the seizure and trade of new slaves. It did not abolish the practice of slavery in the West Indies,

the main destination of those enslaved in Africa. That did not come until 1833 and it was a further five years before full emancipation existed. So 1807 was the beginning of the end, rather than the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.

We should also recognise that the campaign to end slavery was not solely the achievement of white British Parliamentarians. It was certainly the first mass campaign for human freedom to successfully persuade MPs to act altruistically. But the campaign was able to show the horrors of slavery by drawing upon the experiences of freed slaves. The brutal suppression of slave revolts showed that the slaves were trying to win their own freedom.

Bristol's recognition of events two hundred years ago needs to be subtler than the celebrations in Westminster and Hull. We must recognise the role that our city played in this most miserable of trades. But the recognition must be set in the context of the events we commemorate. Bristol's wealth in the 18th century was indeed derived, at least in part,

from the slave trade. But the city's long history as a port meant that many other goods crossed its wharves. Wealth was also made by brass and glass manufacture. In elections thousands of the city's merchants, the only people who could vote at the time, supported candidates opposed to the slave trade, though the 'West India interest' often prevailed.

The 18th century was also a brutal place for Bristolians and people who lived in rural Gloucestershire or Somerset. Working conditions were terrible and life expectancy was short. The employer was also your landlord and usually the local magistrate. People could be hanged for minor crimes against property. The alternative was forced transportation to work in a penal colony in Australia. As only the elite held the vote, there was little opportunity for redress of these grievances.

I came to Bristol to study for a degree in history. I believe that an understanding of the past is vital. But that appreciation must not lead to judgement by 21st century standards of what is right and wrong. Although we can be horrified by past events, we cannot apologise or atone

for them. The people who would have welcomed contrition are long dead and so are those who could have offered it.

Bristol's past was a cruel place. But we have emerged from it to form our great, diverse and free city where every community can be respected. I hope that next year will see thoughtful commemoration of where we have come from and a celebration of what we have become.