the British Administration
is credible; whether it is serious in wishing to consult the people of Hong Kong; whether it will honour its commitment to "build up a firmly-based democratic administration in Hong Kong in the years between now and 1997" Richard Luce, 5th December 1984, House of Commons); whether it will administer Hong Kong according to what it perceives to be in the best interests of its people or only according to what it is permitted to do by the Chinese Government; and most importantly, whether there will be a successful future for Hong
Kong.
We submit that time is of the utmost importance in the build-up towards 1997. And time is not on our side. If we were to lose 3 or 4 precious years just to please the Chinese Government (for there has been no good reason given as to why direct elections should not be introduced in 1988), there is simply not enough time lef t to evolve progressively an effective system of democratic government before 1997. The new system of direct elections to the Legislative Council will take time to settle. And there are many other important issues to be addressed, including, in particular, the relationship between the Executive and the Legislative Councils; whether Hong Kong should have a ministerial system of government (though not necessarily based on the Westminster model), and if not, then what other system of government it should have.
In the circumstances, we believe that if direct elections cannot be introduced in 1988. there will be many more people in Hong Kong voting with their feet because they would know for certain that the British Administration no longer has the will or ability to "administer Hong Kong wisely and well between now and 1997". Nor is it likely that the British Administration "would honour (its) obligations to the full;" or increase "long before 1997
steadily and securely... amount of representation of local people in the government of Hong Kong." These were your very words, Prime Minister, and all we are asking you to do is to honour them.
And please remember that "the eyes of the world" are on you.
the
we
If direct elections are not introduced in 1988, believe that the Hong Kong Government will lose its credibility completely with the people it governs, with the result that Hong Kong will be quite ungovernable.
And in such event, we doubt whether Hong Kong can maintain its prosperity stability up to 1997.
or
We therefore urge you, Prime Minister, to take charge of the Hong Kong problem yourself, and with a sense of utmost urgency. The decision is yours: whether to allow Hong Kong Government's credibility to be irreparably damaged by succumbing to the Chinese Government, or to insist that the terms of the Joint Declaration be implemented to the full by taking full responsibility for the administration of Hong Kong until 1997. The plain fact is that the British Government will retreat from Hong Kong on 30th June 1997. Will it be gracious and honourable retreat or will it be
ignominious one?
an