ONSLOW: He was a delightful and remarkable man. PALLISER: One of the problems was that it was such a small, almost incestuous group of white politicians and a pretty unattractive white community. The only people who I did not have reservations about were some of the farmers who had been out there for a long time. I was there on a number of occasions and, on one visit, I went on a Sunday to a Catholic school 20 miles out of Salisbury, as it then was [now Harare]. The pupils were mainly boys and girls of about 16, 17 and 18. I asked them who they thought was the most important African statesman and, without exception, they said Nkrumah. That was striking. That was in 1967, 1968 or something like that. It was after Nkrumah had gone, but thousands of miles away that was the figure who represented black Africa. I do not know whether that would have been the view of their elders—probably not—but it was interesting that it was the view of those young people. I do not know what they went on to do—they are now 30 years older. It was an interesting reaction. ONSLOW: Going back to the conclusion of the Lancaster House conference and the final process towards independence, how important do you think Lord Soames’s role was? PALLISER: I think that it was important. He was a Tory grandee and not believed to be particularly leftwing or liberal. He was Churchill’s son-in-law, which was a positive asset, as indeed was Mary Soames197 to him in the job. He saw clearly the way in which things would go. He had to do several things with regard to the elections and all that, but I forget the details. It was a skilful appointment and one that he carried out awfully well. ONSLOW: To what extent was his governorship managed from London? PALLISER: Quite a bit, much more than a classic colonial governor. He had a team with him. I never knew how well he got on with Tony Duff. I think that it was a slightly complex relationship. Tony was a remarkable man, too. I worked with Christopher in Paris for three years and it was marvellous.198 We had a tremendously happy relationship, but I never had the feeling that he and Duff established that sort of partnership. I do not quite know why. I do not know whether that will emerge from any of the papers, but perhaps he considered that Duff was a bit too much the Whitehall mouthpiece, which in a way he was. He was there to keep an eye on Christopher and make sure he did not go over the top on anything. Having said all that, however, they worked together perfectly well, and the governorship was a considerable success. I am not sure that I can think of anyone else at that time who would have done it better or been more acceptable. Christopher Soames was an extraordinary man. He could be a bit of a bully, but he had a feel for people, and he was a very skilful political animal. He understood and managed the black politicians with considerable skill. He did things that they did not like, but he
197
Mary Soames (née Churchill, 1922-2014). Wife of Christopher Soames, 1947-87. She was the youngest daughter of Sir Winston and Lady Churchill. 198 Lord Soames was Ambassador to France, 1968-72.
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