Brexit and the Slave Trade

As I was scrolling down my junk mail an email caught my eye. There was something about it that made me stop and read it a little more. It was talking about all the negative things that may possibly happen because of Brexit in the hopes, I suppose, of stirring up paranoia and widespread anxiety in people. Due to the politically correct society we live in people are almost scared to say anything positive about their country in fear of being labelled racist or nationalistic. However, God tells us to speak positive things about ourselves and our communities and he has called us to be a light to this world. We must also speak positive things about our country if we want to see them happen. Words have power whether they are spoken by our mouths or on paper. However, when I saw this email I was reminded again of William Wilberforce who fought to end the slave trade and I couldn’t help myself but think what the lies the newspapers may have said about him and the abolition movement. Here is my possible interpretation below. Could You Get ‘Special Exemption’? With the abolition of the slave trade on the horizon, Sir Frank Green Lord Mayor of London has suggested that certain businessmen and trade owners could be given special status with respect to the slave trade in the event of a complete abolition. Are 1 In 5 merchants Set To Leave The UK For the Americas? A survey conducted by Kentish Gazette suggests the potential impact that criminalising the Slave Trade could have on Britain’s business culture, with 21% of merchants considering moving their headquarters to the Americas in order to maintain their civil liberties.

Phased Slavery Controls Are A Possibility In UK

A new government whitepaper detailing the UK’s steps towards an abolition suggests that citizens holding certain positions and connections to parliament living in the UK may not be asked to ‘surrender’ their slaves and that, instead, slave ownership will instead be ‘phased out’.

Abolition- another word for treason?

Due to the current situation between UK and France many MPs have declared the work of the abolitionists ‘an absolute joke’ at the least and ‘a jab in the back of the king’. The abolitionists have been accused of encouraging disloyalty to the crown and stirring up civil unrest. The current issue that lies with France suggests that any talk of abolition may be enough to provoke an accusation of treason.

Britain’s worst days are yet to come

According to an article published just yesterday in The Register the UK will seek to lose an immeasurable amount of wealth if the abolitionists have their way. The UK has benefited greatly and the slave trade has provided a surplus of jobs for many ordinary labourers. Most MPs have eradicated any mention of support for abolition and continue to oppose any changes to the current constitution. William Wilberforce is standing alone in his defiance. According to sources only 19% of British citizens are in favour of the abolition of the slave trade.

Perhaps you’ve seen some similar headlines in these past few months. I know I have although not regarding the slave trade of course. I can only imagine the amount of people who were constantly out to trip up William Wilberforce and the amount of traps and ambushes that were waiting for him at every turn. However, there was hope because Heaven was on his side and no matter the amount of newspapers stirring up hatred, opposing MPs and general negativity God had His way. Thanks to William Wilberforce’s stamina and faith in God many millions of slaves were released from a life of misery and sorrow and could taste the true beauty of freedom.

My prayer is that despite the negativity and the opposition we would fix our eyes on Heaven and do whatever it is that God has called us to. And it may be that one day you will be the one William Wilberforce would like to meet!