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The Conversation
The Conversation
Lindsey Earner-Byrne, Professor of Contemporary Irish History, Trinity College Dublin

Why the UK government needed to apologise for its role in historical forced adoptions in England

Mid-century attitudes to childbirth varied hugely between married and unmarried women. Imperial War Museums

British prime minister Keir Starmer has apologised in the House of Commons for historical forced adoptions in England. Present in the gallery were mothers and adult adoptees directly affected by the practice.

In his apology Starmer praised their courage and resilience in steadfastly campaigning for truth and justice, and described what they faced as “a stain on our history”.

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