CONFIDENTIAL
4.
the role of senior member is one which is assuming particular importance and significance - 'a unique position which combines elements of the rules of Leader of the House and Chief Whip'. The Governor notes that there are calls for this post to be
filled by election.
the role of the appointed members is changing as they are compelled to adopt a more independent and critical stance
vis a vis the Government.
quasi political groups embrionic political parties are already emerging: the Governor wonders whether we may have to encourage some kind of unofficial 'Government party' is due course.
One effect of these major changes is the increasing burden placed on the Administration as it has to devote more time to presenting and defending policies and to steering Bills through LegCo. There are morale implications in this, as well as practical
ones.
5.
Sir D Wilson's concluding advice is that we must learn to adapt to these changes and handle the newly emerging LegCo with sympathy and understanding. That must be right. It follows also from this that we must have more regard for the way HMG's policies and actions are perceived by an increasingly politicised LegCo; and that we must come to terms with the fact that the Governor's ability to persuade LegCo to accept unpalatable decisions by HMG is likely to become progressively circumscribed. That is a message which other Whitehall Departments need to understand too.
There
6. Another angle, not covered in the despatch, is what the Chinese are going to make of these changes. They may well have only a limited understanding of the momentum that has already been established; of the likely pace of change between now and 1997; and of the implications of all this. It is essential that their reaction to these developments is sensible and realistic. could well be a role for us in helping them reach the right conclusions: but for us to be able to do that we ourselves need first to reach our own conclusions about exactly what sort of post 1997 political system would be desirable for Hong Kong and in the long term interests of the territory.