Britain must lead the global fight against modern slavery

It has been 200 years since Britain abolished the slave trade and sent the Royal Navy out to enforce the ban across the world. Times have changed. Yet slavery at home and abroad is booming like nothing else. Theresa May knows this. It’s no wonder that alongside the chaos of Brexit negotiations she has made it her mission to fight what she calls ‘the great human rights issue of our time’. As the longest-serving home secretary for decades, she understands the nature of this barbaric business.

Last week, the Prime Minister made her latest move to combat modern slavery. She convinced six Gulf countries to sign up to the WeProtect Global Alliance – a British-led international coalition dedicated to the eradication of online child sexual abuse and exploitation. Theresa May spoke of how the fight against global slavery could not be fought by countries operating in isolation. She then announced that the UK Border Force would start training staff from Gulf-based airlines to help them spot trafficking victims.