Revision of school curricula

Your editorial rightly says that discovering "how to remember the vicious business of slavery" and the UK`s "imperial project" is "not just a challenge for Bristol" (Bristol`s struggle with its slave-trading past is still far from over, 09/06/20). It`s clear that there are certain aspects of British history which have to be made compulsory in all schools, both in the state and private sectors. Some of the key points, which appear to have become distorted somewhat in recent years have to be given extra emphasis, like the roles of colonial soldiers in both world wars, the wealth gained from the slave trade paying in a large part for the 19th century`s industrial revolution, and details of how colonies were gained, ruled and looted. The effects of the manipulation of our history by all recent governments have to be reversed, and the truth of what actually happened  revealed. The latter point can only be achieved by the opening up to historians of the 1.2 million history files secreted away in Hanslope Park, and a campaign to achieve this end needs to be started by interested journalists and politicians as soon as possible. Facing up to some unpleasant facts about past governments, leaders and heroes may well be difficult, but other countries, notably Germany, have not only achieved it, but benefited from it.

   With the proportion of BAME likely to be a third of the UK`s population by the middle of this century, it is vital that everyone in the UK, not just Bristol, is aware of the hugely important roles played by people of all races and colour in the history of this country.