Liverpool mayors’ G7 letter outlines “rich maritime history” but omits links with slavery

Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram have written to foreign and development ministers attending the G7 meeting this weekend.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is hosting counterparts from the world’s leading economies for three days, from Friday 10 until Sunday 12 December, as the final event of the UK’s Presidency of the G7.

The content of the letter reflects on Liverpool’s past, present and future, but does not mention the city’s links with the slave trade.

Slavery Remembrance Day has been marked on 23 August in Liverpool since 1999 - acknowledging the city’s role as the European capital of the transatlantic slave trade.

The International Slavery Museum received a £10 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund this year as part of a long term project to update Liverpool’s waterfront.

Liverpool City Council said some of the letters are personalised to individual nations to highlight the connections with Liverpool and individual nations attending, such as the US, Germany and France.

Ministers are gathering at the Museum of Liverpool for the G7 meeting.

What does the letter say?

“On behalf of Liverpool and the wider Liverpool City Region, it gives us great pleasure to welcome you to our city for the G7 Foreign Leaders and Ministers meeting.

“We are well known for being a port city with a global outlook, for our links around the world and for our thriving cultural life, enjoyed by millions of visitors every year.

“Our city has a rich maritime history and has played a pivotal role in pioneering international trade.

“We are proud to be home to the oldest African and Caribbean communities in the UK, and the oldest Chinese community in Europe.

“Our worldwide musical influence, including The Beatles and The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, is immense.

“The city also has a place in the hearts of football fans worldwide thanks to the success of Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs.

“The Liverpool City Region has been one of the fastest growing regional economies over the last decade.

“We are a global leader in infection control, materials chemistry, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence and data innovation, along with advanced manufacturing, health and life sciences.

“In the last year Liverpool has launched a Pandemic Institute to help identify future diseases and prevent, prepare and respond more effectively to outbreaks.

“We are building a 212 km ultrafast, gigabit capable, digital infrastructure that will help position the city region at the head of the next digital revolution.

“And we’re making use of our natural assets and technological expertise to lead the way in renewable energy generation, clean growth and decarbonisation through hydrogen, wind and tidal power.”

Liverpool City Council has been approached for a comment.