Apr 25, 2009

Podcast: the last proconsuls and the ending of the British Empire


From Mountbatten to Patten: the last proconsuls and the ending of the British Empire

After the Second World War, the role of governors in Britain's overseas territories changed.

In this 51 minute podcast from the UK National Archives Tony Stockwell examines the colourful personalities and mixed fortunes of these proconsuls, and argues that, in spite of their declining power and authority, they performed a key role in managing the imperial threat.


Photo: Brigadier Sir Bernard Fergusson, last British Proconsul of New Zealand 1962-1967. Both of his grandfathers and his father were also Governors General of New Zealand. His son George is currently the British High Commissioner at Wellington.

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