Constructing Ionian identities: the Ionian Islands in British official ...

not ready for representative government and should be tightly controlled. 171 In
addition, the Ionians were less worthy of representative institutions because when
granted in good faith, they were not administered and managed by the people in an
effective way. Britain considered cession of the Islands, but before any decision was
made and action was taken, Russell's ministry fell. The Crimean War would also
make it difficult for the Government to consider cession.
Drawing on his Canadian experience, Seaton developed a strategy where the
governor was above party politics and acted as an independent statesman in the
Islands. As a politician, Ward was expected to work within the Ionian Assembly. But
rather than remain above party politics he attempted various deals with different
political parties to get their support and reinforce his position in the government. He
also used his relationships with Russell and Hawes to promote his own political
agenda for the Septinsula and to blame Grey's policies for the failure of his rule in
the Islands, rather than acknowledge the contribution of his own actions. Ward's
tenure saw the breakdown of the moderates in the Islands and the emergence of a
new radical leadership which advocated union with Greece based on national self-
determination. In addition, Ward's authoritarian policies divided opinions within the
Ionian Assembly. His contentious relationship with the Assembly had serious
consequences in safeguarding Ionian support for the continuance of the British
presence in the Islands and created difficulties that existed throughout his
171 Ward drew lessons from his experience in the Ionian Islands when he became governor of Ceylon,
where he was not prepared to give either freedom of the press or a legislature “with the right of free
discussion” to the Ceylonese. Ward to Russell, Private, 16 August 1855, Russell Papers, PRO
30/22/12F.
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