LETTERS Cracking eggs
Sir: Mr Derek Davies's rout of the Sino- wimps (Taal, fatal, fatal', 28 November) will doubtless stiffen still further the back- bone of that substantial majority of MPs Tory and Labour — who publicly applaud Governor Chris Patten's firm new line with China. But what impact may it have in Hong Kong?
Here there are many who suppose that if Britain had really believed in democracy for Hong Kong (rather than showing how we can stand up to China at this very treacherous stage of the diplomatic game), then the whole thing could have been achieved years ago and there would be no fuss now. Others seriously doubt whether a clear majority in favour of democracy still exists, if the vote is going to mean that the `convergence' with China which has been the aim of British policy for the past eight years is now to be sacrificed, with unknown consequences for those who remain after 1997.
Mr Patten is leaving it to the Legislative Council to pronounce the final verdict, though if that body is so unrepresentative in its present form that it requires the sort of re-organisation the Governor proposes, one has to wonder if it is really fitted to take so momentous a decision. Yet repeat- ed local attempts to stage a referendum are rigorously rejected.
With Chinese opposition sharpening almost daily, there are serious doubts over whether Legco nerves will hold out to a final ratification of the Patten plan, proba- bly in March. If they crack, then at least it will allow Mr Patten — and Mr Major — to slide out of an increasingly uncomfortable situation without too much egg on their- faces.
John Ellison
The Travellers' Club, Pall Mall, London SW1
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