Should we apologise?

[Stan_Lite]

The television at the moment is full of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery.

There are calls from many sides for Britain to formally apologise for it's part in this appalling trade in human lives. Do you think our government should apologise on behalf of the people?

I think not. I feel no personal guilt for the part our ancestors played in the slave trade. I feel anger and shame but I will not accept guilt for acts which were perpetrated over 200 years ago. I played no part in this and nor did anyone I know.
If I found out that one of my ancestors raped a woman in the 18th century, I wouldn't feel obliged to seek out her descendants to apologise for his crime - likewise, I do not feel obliged to apologise for the crimes of slave traders.

Rather than trying to make the country feel guilt for historical slavery, surely it would be more constructive to make people feel outrage at present day slavery and motivate them to do something to wipe it out.

I consider it a good thing that the subject of slavery is in the spotlight at the moment. Trafficking in human lives still exists in various forms and in many parts of the world and it is important that this is highlighted in order that something can be done to stamp this out once and for all.

Your views please?

Stan