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Conclusion

British policy manifested itself through the Residency’s work in Bahrain. The

Resident, Burrows, offered to mediate between the two conflicting parties in

Bahrain being the local Administration and the nationalist movement. The

Government of Bahrain suspiciously looked at the process of mediation, which at

times took on the form of private meetings with a member or members of the NUC.

Nevertheless, negotiations with the Movement were key in the Residency’s policy to

reach a compromise between the two sides. The Residency was probably inclined to

show sympathy to the Movement based on Western ideals of democracy and

development of constitutional government. Constraints were also placed on the two

sides to prevent one from overtaking the other.

British policy up to a late stage in the development of the Bahraini movement

in 1956 did not view the opposition to be that of an anti-British nature. Despite

attacks on British interests, allies, and policies in nationalist press. Following the

stoning of Lloyd’s car in Bahrain and the events that followed in March 1956 there

seemed to be a division amongst British policy makers on how to deal with the

Movement. Eden wanted to adopt a firm stance against the NUC and if it weren’t for

Burrows’ maneuvering and understanding with the FO the Movement would have

been suppressed in March. Burrows adopted a more lenient approach with the

Party in accordance to his understanding first hand of the situation on the ground.

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