Darcus Howe (Columns, 4 December) states that William Wilberforce and his fellow anti-slavery campaigners were only "set in motion" by the rebellions launched by slaves between 1791 and 1804. Howe might be reminded that in May 1789 Wilberforce gave an extensive speech in the Commons in favour of a bill to abolish the slave trade.
It may be valid to say that we should remember the horrors, but should that be to the exclusion of the efforts of British anti-slavery campaigners? We are, after all, allowed to remember Lord Shaftesbury and his campaign on behalf of child chimney sweeps in the 19th century. We are not told to ignore his efforts and concentrate on apologising for the fact that 200 years ago it was legal to send six-year-old children up chimneys.
Lesley Boss
Southend-on-Sea, Essex
