Rachel Holmes

William Wilberforce is about to hit cinemas as the Great White Emancipationist Hero in Amazing Grace. Wilberforce was a decent guy. We all need heroes; but let’s be clear, this is not, as it claims, ‘The True Story’. Ioan Gruffudd strides around convincing us that slaves had nothing to do with their own emancipation; nor was abolition due to radical democratic republicanism and mobilisation by ordinary people. No, it was nice conscientious white boys pushing a compromise bill through the corridors of Parliament whom we can thank for ridding the world of this abomination. Wilberforce would be appalled at being credited with virtually single-handedly bringing about abolition. Come on, Michael Apted, you’re better than this. It’s the 21st century.