}
CONFIDENTIAL
5. THE CLEAR MESSAGE OF THESE ELECTIONS IS THAT THE OLD ORDER IS
CHANGING. THE INFLUENCE OF THE TRADITIONAL ORGANISATIONS, (E.G. KAIFONGS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, THE HEUNG YEE KUK) HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGED IN THE NEWER URBAN AREAS BY YOUNGER CANDIDATES BASED FIRMLY IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO
MOBILISE SUPPORT FROM THE LARGE HOUSING ESTATES. THIS IS A VERY
SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT. IF THE PATTERN WERE TO BE REPEATED IN
ELECTIONS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LEVEL, IT WOULD MEAN IN EFFECT
THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS WOULD BE A SORT OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY
FOR THE 'GRASS ROOTS' AND PARTICULARLY HOUSING ESTATES (ALTHOUGH
WHETHER THE SOCIAL WORKERS ARE REALLY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VIEWS
OF ESTATE RESIDENTS, OR WERE SIMPLY CLEVERER IN EXPLOITING THE
OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY CONCENTRATED CAMPAIGNS WITHIN THE ESTATES
IS AN OPEN QUESTION).
6. THE FIRST FEEDBACK FROM DISTRICT OFFICERS ON THE PRIVATE
REACTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL SUGGESTS THAT THE TURNOUT RATE
WAS CONSIDERED SATISFACTORY, BUT THAT THE HIGH PROPORTION OF SOCIAL
WORKERS AND TEACHERS AMONG THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WAS
CONSIDERED UNHEALTHY''. *IN MANY MINDS IT CAST DOUBT ON THE
DESIRABILITY OF HOLDING DIRECT ELECTIONS TO LEGCO IN 1988.
7. WE ARE CONSIDERING THE POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS FOR THE
1987 REVIEW, ON WHICH WE WILL TELEGRAPH SEPARATELY.
YOUDE
LIMITED
HKD
FED
NEWS D
INFO D
PLANNING STAFF
RES D
PS
PS/MR RENTON
PS/PUS
SIR W HARDING
MR WILSON
2
CONFIDENTIAL
Fco 40/1955