The UK’s Labour Party has said it is important for schoolchildren to be taught about Britain's colonial past and the injustices associated with it as it launched a supplementary manifesto in London on Tuesday ahead of the Dec 12 General Election.
The Opposition party’s ‘Race and Faith Manifesto’ comes in the wake of its main manifesto last week and makes a series of pledges about ensuring more equality in the country.
“The creation of an Emancipation Educational Trust will ensure historical injustice, colonialism and role of the British empire is taught in the National Curriculum,” notes the supplementary manifesto.
“Only by acknowledging the historical injustices faced by our communities can we work towards a better future that is prosperous for all, that isn’t blighted by austerity and the politics of fear,” said Dawn Butler, Labour’s Shadow Equalities and Women’s Secretary.
Currently, the history of the British Empire is not a compulsory module in the UK school curriculum, an issue often highlighted by campaigners as a failure to present an accurate picture of the country’s history for schoolchildren. Britain had established a colonial empire around the world, including in the subcontinent for over 200 years. Historians have documented the massive impact this had on the local society and economy of the colonies at the time.
Labour’s 'Race and Faith Manifesto', launched by party leader Jeremy Corbyn, also seeks to set up a Race Equality Unit based within the UK's Treasury department, which would review major spending announcements for its impact on minorities if it wins the elections next month.
“Our Race and Faith Manifesto presents our unshakable commitment to challenge the inequalities and discrimination that has faced to many communities,” said Corbyn.
However, the manifesto was met with an attack from the ruling Conservative Party for a promise to end “rip-off charges” for passports, visas, tests and other documentation imposed by the UK Home Office.
“Not charging people who want to come to the country for visa and immigration services means UK taxpayers will have to pay instead. The bill will be more than GBP 1.5 billion – money that could otherwise be spent on schools and hospitals,” said UK home secretary Priti Patel.