The Barbados government has put on hold plans to buy a former plantation from a British Conservative MP whose family profited from slavery. Richard Drax, the MP for South Dorset, owns a 617-acre land in Barbados that was once operated as a sugar plantation by his ancestors in the 17th century, where thousands of enslaved African people were forced to work.
The government had intended to pay market value for the land to create homes for Barbadians while seeking reparations from Drax for his family’s role in slavery. However, following significant backlash, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced that the acquisition will be halted due to Barbadians’ anger and calls for public consultation.
“I understand the concerns of many Barbadians, who may feel that they have been deprived of the opportunity of having appropriate recompense for the reparations that should be made,” Mottley said in a video statement on Wednesday. “As a result of the blood, sweat, and tears of Barbadians over centuries, I want to make it clear that this is not a matter we take lightly.”
Mottley emphasized that the government is committed to pursuing reparations from Drax and others responsible for Barbados’ history of racism. “Given the conversation, I believe that it is appropriate for us to pause the acquisition to allow for greater conversation to take place,” she said. “We need to determine how to reach a reasonable settlement with Mr. Drax, recognizing that he is aware of the Barbados government’s strong stance on this issue and that we will pursue these matters.”
Mottley has pledged to construct 10,000 homes to address the country’s housing shortage, which has resulted in over 20,000 housing applications. The proposed acquisition of Drax Hall, once referred to as a “killing field” for enslaved people, has sparked widespread condemnation.
Trevor Prescod, chair of the Barbados National Taskforce on Reparations, criticized the government’s plan, saying: “What a bad example this is? Reparations and Drax Hall are now top of the global agenda. How do we explain this to the world?” He urged the government to refrain from any commercial dealings with Drax, especially while engaged in reparations negotiations.
In response to the backlash, Mottley reaffirmed Barbados’ commitment to the rule of law and the principle of paying fair compensation for acquired land. “We have never made it a habit, nor am I aware of any example, where we have expropriated people’s land,” she said. “When people have land that is a subject of compulsory acquisition, we are required by law to pay for it.”
However, Mottley emphasized that this does not preclude the government from pursuing reparations through legal channels. “At the same time, that does not stop us from pursuing aggressively, both through our advocacy and as we are seeking to do in recent times (…) the preparation of our legal options with respect to being able to take action, not only against the owners of Drax plantation but also against all others who have contributed to the condition of this country being, regrettably, one of the worst examples of modern racism in the Americas.”
The Prime Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of reparations talks with Mr. Drax, which have been ongoing since 2022. According to historians, up to 30,000 enslaved Africans lived and died on the Drax estate between its foundation in the 1620s and the abolition of slavery in 1833. The family amassed vast wealth through this inhumane practice.
Barbados, colonized by the British since the 1620s, is believed to have witnessed the forced transportation of over a quarter million Africans, estimated at 387,000. Following abolition, the British government compensated Drax and other British slave owners, with the Drax family receiving approximately £4,293 pounds (roughly £500,000 in today’s currency).
Drax, now 66, is a Conservative MP and the seventh member of his family to serve in the House of Commons. Despite his family’s past, he has insisted that individuals cannot be held accountable for events that occurred “many hundreds of years ago.” Yet, he continues to enjoy the wealth and privileges built upon the suffering of enslaved Africans generations ago.
Barbados transitioned to a republic in 2021, removing the British monarch as head of state. Mr. Drax has been contacted for comment.
