You should remember Keith, that the fact that our ex colonies remain friends, and part of the commonwealth, says more about their tolerance, than about our popularity.

In many cases, we did not walk out of those countries, but were forced to leave by extended campaigns of armed resistance.

E.G. In Kenya, Mau-Mau terrorists drove us to negotiate self government.
We were thrown out of Rhodesia now Zimbabwe) by the Ian Smith government.
We were forced to hand over Cyprus, by armed resistance.

In many cases, the first leader of an independent ex colony, was the ex leader of said resistance, e.g. Archbishop Makarios, Jomo Kenyatta.

While we now have an amicable relationship with those governments, it would be surprising if there were not some underlying feelings of dislike, or even hatred.

Don T