By Olufemi Aduwo
Kemi Badenoch’s recent comments downplaying the role of colonialism in Britain’s development have sparked outrage, frustration, and deep disappointment. For many, her remarks feel not only historically inaccurate but also painfully dismissive of the profound suffering and injustice endured by generations across colonised lands. In dismissing the exploitation and plundering of colonised territories as non-factors in Britain’s rise, Badenoch appears to turn her back on her heritage,a heritage that carries the weight of colonialism’s scars.
The British Empire was an economic enterprise as much as a political one. At its height, it controlled almost a quarter of the world’s landmass, spanning continents, cultures, and civilisations. This was not merely an era of “civilisation,” as some have argued, but a brutal system that drained wealth, resources, and labour from colonised lands, often by force or coercion. Wealthy from its spoils, Britain could fund its industrial revolution, build cities, and establish itself as a financial powerhouse.
Resources like sugar, cotton, spices, minerals, and, perhaps most egregiously, human lives were ripped from their origins, transported across oceans, and turned into profits. Colonies were economically reshaped to serve British interests, with infrastructure and industries crafted to extract resources and funnel them back to the empire. Local industries were frequently dismantled, and entire societies were economically and politically subjugated to create a dependency on British goods. This exploitation established the foundation for Britain’s prosperity, a fact well-documented by historians across the globe.
The ramifications of colonialism are still painfully present in many countries today. Forced onto exploitative economic paths, these nations often emerged from colonialism with economies tailored to serve the needs of distant powers rather than their own people. Systems of inequality, administrative dysfunction, and economic dependencies were bequeathed to nations as colonial powers exited. These legacies continue to shape economic challenges, political tensions, and social issues in former colonies.
Badenoch’s dismissal of this complex history is, therefore, more than just a matter of opinion; it reflects a troubling disregard for the trauma of colonised populations and a failure to acknowledge the long-term impact of empire. Her comments seem to overlook the painful fact that the prosperity of Britain was, in part, built on the deprivation and suffering of others. It’s one thing to honour one’s country and another to overlook its painful truths. To argue that Britain’s prosperity was not significantly shaped by colonialism requires a selective reading of history. Far from a “civilising mission,” colonialism was a system of resource extraction and subjugation. British officials and businesses profited immensely while colonised populations were left with economic hardship and legacies of division.
For Badenoch, as a woman of Nigerian descent, to defend colonialism’s legacy is particularly painful for many of African and global diasporic heritage. This defence feels like a betrayal to those who continue to grapple with the socio-economic challenges birthed by colonialism. While it is, of course, essential to embrace one’s nation and contribute to its progress, such patriotism should not come at the expense of truth, nor should it obscure the voices and experiences of one’s ancestors. The painful history of colonialism deserves recognition, not dismissal. Refuting the reality of colonial exploitation does a disservice to the memory of those who suffered under it. Badenoch’s comments reflect a worrying trend of revisionism that not only undermines historical understanding but also risks alienating future generations from a complete and honest view of the past.
The world today is a global tapestry, with former colonies and empires intertwined in complex relationships. To deny or downplay the impact of colonialism on Britain’s rise is to miss an opportunity for authentic dialogue and understanding. It is essential to honour the contributions of colonial subjects, forced and otherwise, that were instrumental in building Britain’s wealth.In the face of Badenoch’s remarks, we must remember that acknowledging painful truths is not an act of disloyalty but an act of courage. True strength lies in facing history with honesty, not in rewriting it for convenience. For those of us who carry the legacies of colonialism in our heritage, this truth is vital, and it must not be silenced or ignored.
Aduwo is President, Center for Convention on Democratic lntegrity lnc(CCDI),Maryland, United States and Permanent Representative of CCDI at United Nations.
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NB: CCDI, is a non-profit organisation with Consultative Status of United Nations
