}
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we mean Chinese and other locals who have shown concerned leadership but have kept free of Government appointments, as a matter of principle.^. There are leaders who have served the community out of a sense of responsibility,
not for self-aggrandisement.
A
So long as Hong Kong remains in the hands of those at present in power, we cannot even make a start on the road to democracy. We would therefore propose that should select
team of British politicians to come to Hong Kong now, for a short transition period, to study the views of the local people on cons- titutional reform. Those we have in mind should either have a good knowledge of Hong Kong or experience in decolonisation. Names that come to mind are Lord Carrington, Edward Heath, Dennis Healey, Jeremy Bray, Robert Adley, A and Shirley Williams. There are many others it is not for us to choose. By bringing members of different parties, we could avoid party politics. The recent debate on Hong Kong in the House of Commons was an inspiring example of how British democracy can still rise above party politics when
the occasion demands. The Hong Kong issue certainly demands not only a non-
party solution, but also requires us to rise above the colonial mire into
which we have sunk over the past one and a half centuries. With a strong and
respected group of politicians as listeners and advisers, we could be guided along
the unfamiliar path to democracy by persons without personal interest in governing Hong Kong.
Without such a plan as we have suggested, there will be feelings of insecurity. There are Chinese leaders capable of taking over political responsibility, but at present they are incapacitated because they have no say in laws and policies made by political babes and colonial grab-alls. To continue under the present regime would only frustrate those who wish
to serve the community well, and we cannot afford to risk the future of Hong Kong to this old brigade which considers face more important than a community's welfare. Sowing fear about the future may be aimed at keeping the status quo, but it cannot succeed and will merely shake the prosperity and stability of the community.
The negotiations taking place now in Beijing involve only Britain and China. The maintenance of stability and prosperity
must
also be the responsibility of one of those parties, Britain, during this first phase up to 1997. It is essential that the final handover should be
smooth and imperceptible.
The colonial era must end, now, and Britain must send experienced
politicians to make sure that democracy will come painlessly. Britain must
not leave the responsibility to the colonials as in the past, A we start this
new era in our history.
Andrew Tu Andrew Tu (Chairman)
when
( Quat. Elliott (Seo.)