Should we apologise for the Slave Trade?

There has been a lot of discussion recently about whether the city of Bristol should apologise for the part that it played in the Slave Trade. Bristol, along with Liverpool and London were the main ports involved and many of the houses and industries that developed were funded on the enormous profits made in the Slave Trade.

It is estimated that over 2 million people in Britain had jobs that were directly related to Slavery and many banks came into existance as a result, including Barclays and Midland (now HSBC).

In an article in the Observer newspaper (http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1769448,00.html) last weekend, Amelia Hill wrote

No official representative for Bristol has ever formally apologised for the fact that, from 1698 to 1807, when trading in slaves from Africa was outlawed, 2,114 ships set sail from Bristol to Africa and then on to plantations in the Americas, carrying over half a million slaves.

There was a debate in Bristol, which you can see in the picture above, and the audience were asked to vote (you can find the result here: http://www.empiremuseum.co.uk/aboutus/relationalnews.htm#debate)

Compton Boys - you have to post up your thoughts about the following:

1) Do you think the people of Britain today should make an apology for our country being involved in the Slave Trade - Yes or No
2) Give a reason for your answer (try to give as much detail as possible)