 While the British remained firmly against separate Rhodesian representation in Lisbon , there was little they could do to stop it . Ross was nominally put on extended leave , but not withdrawn . Deciding that he could no longer wait for Bottomley to fulfil his promise to visit Rhodesia during October , Smith resolved to instead meet with Wilson personally in London , and arranged to travel on 3 October , arriving the next day . While Smith prepared to travel , Britain continued its frantic efforts to curry international anti @-@ Rhodesian sentiment , among other things urging each NATO member government not to deal with Reedman . In London , Britons who sympathised with Smith came out to support him in large numbers , surprising both the British and the Rhodesians . The two Prime Ministers ' talks were largely unproductive , and little common ground was found before Smith flew home on 12 October . 
