This book throws new light on the impact of informal 'old boy' networks on British decolonisation. Duncan Sandys was one of the leading Conservative politicians of the middle decades of twentieth-century Britain. He was also a key figure in the Harold Macmillan's 'Winds of Change' policy of decolonisation, serving as Secretary for the Colonies and Commonwealth Relations from 1960 to 1964. When he lost office he fought strenuously to undermine the new Labour Government's attempts to accelerate colonial withdrawal and improve race relations in Britain. Sandys developed important private business interests in Africa and intervened personally through both public and official channels on the question of Rhodesia, Commonwealth immigration and the 'East of Suez' withdrawal in the late 1960s. This book will appeal to students of decolonisation and twentieth-century British politics alike.

Provides a scholarly account of Duncan Sandys' political career, contextualising his influence in the broader political landscape of the 1960s Contributes to the lively debate and emerging studies on the impact of the end of empire in Britain Offers a new interpretation of the impact of decolonisation on the racial attitude of the Conservative Right Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

Peter Brooke studied at Christ's College, Cambridge and King's College, London and now teaches colonial and modern British political history at King's College, London, UK. Previously he held the Archives By-Fellowship at Churchill College, Cambridge. Peter has also published on Enoch Powell and the politics of immigration in 1960s.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Duncan Sandys' Career and Decolonisation.- 3. Saving South Arabia.- 4. Making Peace with Rhodesia.- 5. 'Turn off the Tap': Immigration and Race Relations.- 6. The Kenyan Asian Crisis and the 'White Passport Act'.- 7. Conclusion.