Teach ‘injustices’ of Empire, says Corbyn

Tory ministers furious as Labour leader says schools should highlight history of colonialism and slavery

Schoolchildren should be taught about the “grave injustices” of the British Empire, Jeremy Corbyn will say today, prompting a furious response from Conservative MPS. The Labour leader will announce plans to improve the teaching of black British history and the history of the British Empire, colonialism and slavery “to help ensure their legacy is more widely understood across the country”. It is part of Labour’s plan to introduce an “Emancipation Educational Trust”.

SCHOOLCHILDREN should be taught about the “grave injustices” of the British Empire, Jeremy Corbyn will say today, prompting a furious response from Conservative MPS and ministers. The Labour leader will announce plans to improve the teaching of black British history and the history of the British Empire, colonialism and slavery “to help ensure their legacy is more widely understood across the country”.

Mr Corbyn will outline Labour’s plans to support a new Emancipation Educational Trust, aimed at educating future generations about slavery and the struggle for emancipation. The trust will tell the story of “how slavery interrupted a rich African and black history”, deliver school programmes for young people and “focus on African civilisation before colonisation, the resilience and sacrifice of those enslaved and the struggle for liberation”.

In his speech today in Bristol, Mr Corbyn will say: “It is vital that future generations understand the role that black Britons have played in our country’s history and the struggle for racial equality.

“In the light of the Windrush scandal, ‘black history’ month has taken on a renewed significance and it is more important now than ever that we learn and understand as a society the role and legacy of the British Empire, colonisation and slavery.

“Black history month is a crucial chance to celebrate the immense contribution of black Britons to this country, to reflect on our common history and ensure that such grave injustices can never happen again.”

Last night Tory ministers and MPS accused Mr Corbyn of being “ashamed” of Britain and said he should “stop hating what this country stands for”. Iraqiborn Nadhim Zahawi MP, an education minister, told The Daily Telegraph that in “countries that were part of the empire there is enormous goodwill towards our great country.”

Tim Loughton MP, a former children’s minister, added: “It is incredible that Jeremy Corbyn aspires to be the leader of a country he is apparently so ashamed of.

“Once again he chooses to talk down Britain rather than celebrate the immense amount for good we have done. Undoubtedly bad things happened in the name of the British Empire and those should not be ignored but there is a much richer legacy that has shaped many countries around the world.”

Separately Damian Hinds, the Education Secretary, will say today that Labour’s plans to axe academies and free schools are “putting ideology first and children second”.

Mr Hinds will tell Labour to “leave our kids alone” and accuse the party of “dangerous control freakery”.

He said: “This is a very dangerous and reckless path to go down.”