DOGABW
FKK 01115
RECEIVE
STRY
HKK 011/5 25 MAR 1986
STRY
tion Taken
10
191315 (masi,
CONFI
CONFIDENTIAL
FROM: CE LEEKS, HKD
DATE: 17 March 1986
Mmm blam fil dly Becker 25/7 apa √x4/3
Mr Layden
Sir W Marding
Mardin
PS/Mr Renton
Ministe
Ortanc
dur L
Lay
den HKD
Jw 3/2
HONG KONG: ELECTIONS TO THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS
A
1.
Further to my submission of 14 March,
March, Hong Kong have now provided
more detailed analysis of the results of the recent
elections. While this analysis reinforces the main points in my
earlier submission, it also explores in more detail the implications
of the number of younger candidates with a social work or education
background. As Hong Kong observe, the relative success of these
candidates may represent a new swing in public support away from the
more traditional groups and towards those organisations more overtly
concerned with social problems; or it may indicate merely that these
Latter groups are better able in direct elections to rally their
housing estates than a re the
forces within Hong Kong's enormous
other older groupings.
2.
Either way, such a development has a clear message for those
advocating direct elections in 1988. The initial public enthusiasm
generated by these recent elections will fade. It is then possible
that a reaction will set in, as those
commentators who
on theoretical
direct Leg Co
political
elections
elections might
have argued strongly for
grounds will face up to the prospect that such
return a phalanx of social workers to LegCo in 1988.
but magnis nor this prospuł
please to Martin Lees
poritically? Sorice wothers
Yand the anti traditional
CE Leeks
Hong Kong Department
group.
R.
TIM REI TON
CONFIDENTIAL