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This article discusses political liberalism at the end of Empire in British Africa through analysis of British ideas about institution building below the level of parliamentary democracies. It suggests that while processes of institution-building have largely been discussed through the prism of development, they also constitute fruitful sites for the exploration of British ideas about the nature of politically-liberal systems. I argue that new articulations of an imperial liberalism during decolonisation had an energising effect on some Britons within domestic institutions whose expertise was called upon to assist with the development of successor institutions in emergent states. As they engaged in a process of institution-building, these individuals acted in ways that were not only determined by Western liberalism, but also by distinctive British ideas of the appropriate relationship of institutions to the state. I suggest, however, that while their approach to institution building in emergent states reflected deep rooted convictions about the kind of institutions that were essential to the operation of politically liberal systems, these ideals were in tension with more self-interested concerns which could in practice compromise efforts to replicate British institutions.

By looking closely at the Bank of England’s ‘Central Banking Course’ offered to Commonwealth bankers, Stockwell shows how the Bank sought to maintain and extend its international influence and to bolster the sterling area. Sensitivities about the naming of the course, and whether those attending it required ‘tuition’, mirror broader tensions between Britain and its former empire, as well as divisions between its ‘old’ and ‘new’ members. The Bank of England was itself divided on whether its energies should be devoted to the Commonwealth or, alternatively, expanded to areas of the world like Latin America where ‘informal’ empire developed in the nineteenth century. The South African Reserve Bank sent representatives long after it left the Commonwealth, reflecting ongoing economic interests as well as South African efforts to maintain international connections, particularly in areas of technical cooperation. By the mid-1970s, and following Britain’s entry into Europe, courses attracted bankers based on the continent. As an exercise in ‘soft power’ and influence, the Bank of England’s courses operated entirely independently of government. Stockwell’s study adds significantly to what is already known about London-based Commonwealth connections in fields as diverse as publishing, universities, journalism and the law.

European decolonisation posed new uncertainties and risks for European companies with an established presence in Africa. However, some firms found not just risk but opportunities in decolonisation. By examining the activities of foreign enterprises in various African states, and their strategies to stay in Africa, various contributors explore how some European companies benefitted from features of the new international landscape, particularly those provided by development aid. The book brings together research on different European companies (most notably those of former colonial powers) and considers their work or involvement in the development field after European decolonisation. In this introduction to the book, Dimier and Stockwell show how by bringing the study of foreign companies and development aid to Africa into the same frame of analysis, the book breaks new ground. They provide an extensive review of the historiographies of business and development in the colonial and post-colonial eras, and identify key features of European, and especially British and French, post-colonial development aid. They also introduce each chapter and the key themes and questions which these chapters address.

Up to 4.7% of adult men have experienced attempted non-consensual sexual contact in Britain.1 Male sexual assault is frequently under-reported and the consequences include physical harm, anxiety, depression, substance misuse, suicidal ideation and suicide. Drug-facilitated sexual assault involves many types of pharmacological agents including alcohol and amphetamines. Consensual use of recreational drugs during sex (chemsex) with multiple partners has been described with a particular focus on STI acquisition. Men who have sex with men (MSM) …

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As Archbishop of Canterbury from 1945 to 1961, Geoffrey Fisher devoted considerable time to colonial and imperial affairs, including in British Africa. This involvement took a variety of forms, but included overseeing the devolution of Church authority to local structures through the creation of new African provinces in what could be described as the Church's own ‘decolonisation’ project. At the same time, Fisher engaged closely with political issues in colonies including Kenya and Uganda, in ways that were naturally informed by the interests and priorities of Anglican missionary societies, but which also reflected the particular domestic constitutional position of the Anglican church. His actions also bore the mark of Fisher's own conception of state authority and preference for discretion: somewhat contradictory impulses that underlay the essentially ambiguous nature of Fisher's response to colonial questions. While personally inclined to trust the state to put its own affairs in order, Fisher's confide...

Recent studies have shown convincingly that no ‘neocolonialist’ conspiracies were hatched to perpetuate British commercial dominance in the former colonies after independence, and that relations between individual firms and policy-makers were frequently troubled. In acknowledging the force of this general proposition, however, there is a risk of neglecting the still significant place of commercial considerations in state policy making. By relocating the relationship of trade and empire in the 1950s in an examination of a hitherto neglected dimension of British taxation policy, this article demonstrates that the Conservative government sought to assist British business with colonial interests at a time when these firms faced new uncertainties.

The end of the European empires represents by any standards an extraordinary process of global transformation and state formation.1 In the British case this centred on the creation of parliamentary democracies on the Westminster model. State building and the transition to independence also entailed disentangling colonial institutions from the British imperial system and the development in the colonies of the apparatus associated with modern independent nation states: or to put it another way, the ‘decolonization’ of a whole raft of institutions from colonial civil services and armies to financial institutions. On the efficient and sound operation of the administrative apparatus of the ex-colonial state and its military financial, as well as judicial, instruments, rested the success of wider British strategic and economic interests. Yet the process of what is perhaps best conceptualized as ‘institutional devolution and transition’ rather than ‘decolonization of the colonial state’ (for reasons to be discussed below) has remained largely below the radar in general accounts of British decolonization, which focus rather on developments leading to constitutional independence and the dynamics behind imperial decline. Instead, discussion of institutional devolution and transition has mostly taken the form of case studies dealing with discrete regions or sectors.

The Empire in One City? Liverpool's Inconvenient Imperial Past? Edited by Sheryllyne Haggerty, Anthony Webster and Nicholas J. White Manchester, Manchester University Press, 2008 xiv+237 pp., ISBN:...

(1998). Instilling the ‘sterling tradition’: Decolonization and the creation of a Central Bank in Ghana. The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History: Vol. 26, Managing The Business of Empire, pp. 100-119.

(1995). Political strategies of British business during decolonization: The case of the Gold Coast/Ghana, 1945–57. The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History: Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 277-300.

(1992). Decolonisation beyond the public record office: Non‐official sources for studying the end of empire. Contemporary Record: Vol. 6, Ending the Empire, pp. 557-566.

Background/introduction Pro(TECT), a bespoke service for male sex workers (MSW), was launched in June 2014 by THT to engage with local high-risk MSM. Motivational interviewing (MI) is used to explore behaviour change; clients are offered a wide range of support to improve sexual health and reduce onward STI/HIV transmission. Analysis of behaviour and service evaluation was performed at 6 months. Methods All clients (15) completed an online survey regarding sexual practices, drug/alcohol use and experience of the service. Results In the last 12 months: 70% reported insertive UAI; 40% receptive UAI; 36% diagnosed with an STI; 29% HIV positive; 21% injected drugs; 43% under the influence of drugs/alcohol while selling sex; 33% self-harmed in last 12 months. Conclusions Unprotected sex is common among MSW. Early MI results show good improvement in knowledge and risk taking behaviour. High levels of drug/alcohol use and self-harm require close links to mental health services. Pro(TECT) is unique in accessing this ‘hard-to-reach’ population and offers a holistic service of harm reduction.

Background/introduction Pro(TECT) is a bespoke service for male sex workers (MSW) launched by THT in June 2014. The service provides MSW with point of care HIV tests, STI and blood borne virus screening, as well as motivational interviewing, harm reduction and signposting to local SH services. Aim(s)/objectives To describe the sexual health of MSW engaging with the local GU clinic. Methods The notes of the Pro(TECT) clients who attended the local GU clinic were reviewed. Results 15 MSW aged 20–57 years, attended the Pro(TECT) service from June to December 2014. 87% (13/15) had ever attended the GU clinic; 10 in the last 12-months. Only 3 revealed they were MSW. 39% (5/13) were HIV positive, of whom 3 had detectable viral loads (42,000 to 307, 000 copies/ml). CD4 counts ranged from 6–698 × 10 6 /l. 85% were hepatitis B immune; 1 was hepatitis C co-infected (viral load 100, 4492 cp/ml). 33 STI screens were performed in the last 12-months, with an average of 3 screens/person. 39% (5/13) had an acute STI: 4 rectal, 3 pharyngeal, 1 urethral gonorrhoea; 2 rectal chlamydia; 1 latent (early/late) syphilis. PEP was used by 2 of the 5 HIV negative MSW a total of 5 times in 12-months. Discussion/conclusion There is a high burden of STIs in this group and a significant risk of onward transmission. MSW may not disclose their work to health care professionals (HCP), even on direct questioning. Identification of MSW is fundamental in order to reduce risk and minimise harm. Pro(TECT) acts as a unique gateway into mainstream services, including advice to access PEP.

Background/introduction Homeless people are at increased risk of STIs, and may struggle to attend conventional services. To improve sexual health access and knowledge for this group, THT launched a weekly outreach testing project for asymptomatic clients in June 2014 at the local homeless service. HIV point of care tests (POCT) and self-taken STI screens (SHS) were offered. Hepatitis B/C POCTs were introduced more recently. Aim(s)/objectives To assess the value of the outreach service and describe project outcomes. Methods User demographics and testing outcomes were collected at each attendance and reviewed at 6 months. Results From June to December 2014, 129 clients presented. 83% were white British, 92% were male. The mean age was 36 (range 19–65 years). 84% identified as heterosexual, 14% bisexual and 2% homosexual. Only 26% had previously tested for HIV. Of the asymptomatic service users, 45% had a HIV test (all negative) and 23% had a self-taken SHS. Two cases were positive; one urethral chlamydia, one rectal gonorrhoea. Eighteen referrals were made to the local SH clinic for symptomatic screens, blood-borne virus (BBV) testing, vaccination and contraception. Since introducing hepatitis POCTs 2 weeks ago, 4 clients have tested and 2 were positive for hepatitis C. Discussion/conclusion Prior to project launch, this client group had significant anxiety regarding HIV and BBV. Having the ability to access a full SH screen in familiar surroundings was welcomed. A significant number of infections have been identified demonstrating the importance of the outreach project, and the need for strong links with mainstream services.