UK Labour Party vows to teach colonial history in Britain’s schools

The Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn will set out plans to teach "historical injustice" and Britain's role in slavery and colonialism.

An add-on manifesto unveiled on Tuesday for the December 12 general election pledges to set up a new educational trust that would ensure that Britain's colonial history and injustices of the Raj are taught in schools across the country.

It is the first time the issue has appeared in the electoral discourse in Britain, despite growing demands in recent years by academics, parents and employers seeking individuals with an enhanced awareness of global contexts.

He will also unveil policies on how to combat anti-Semitism in Britain.

Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi who represents British Jews in the UK, hit out at Labour saying "the overwhelming majority of British Jews are gripped by anxiety".

Writing in The Times, he states the "Jewish community has watched with incredulity as supporters of the Labour leadership have hounded parliamentarians, members and even staff out of the party for challenging anti-Jewish racism".

A Labour spokesman said: "Jeremy Corbyn is a lifelong campaigner against anti-Semitism and has made absolutely clear it has no place in our party and society.

Last week, Mr Corbyn unveiled his Marxist manifesto that pledges to introduce £83billion in taxes and is now publishing one that focuses on race and injustice.

The party's 'Race and Faith Manifesto' comes in the wake of its main manifesto last week, which had pledged to issue a formal apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar by troops under the British Empire in April 1919.

"The creation of an Emancipation Educational Trust will ensure historical injustice, colonialism and role of the British Empire is taught in the National Curriculum," notes the supplementary manifesto.

"Only by acknowledging the historical injustices faced by our communities can we work towards a better future that is prosperous for all, that isn't blighted by austerity and the politics of fear," said Dawn Butler, Labour's Shadow Equalities and Women's Secretary.

Currently, the history of the British Empire is not a compulsory module in the UK school curriculum, an issue often highlighted by campaigners as a failure to present an accurate picture of the country's history for school children.