>The British empire has been completely wound down, other than a handful of small overseas territories.

Just because Britain couldn't afford it anymore. And after bloodshed, in India, Kenya, Cyprus, Malaysia, and elsewhere. Not out of the bigness of their heart.

And the post-colonialism never ended. The same grabby hands get everywhere they can get.

And why exactly are those "small overseas territories" unquestionably retained? "No biggie, just an island here, an island there, and island there, some land in here"