04-APR-1993 12:12
Gallagher
0491 579838
P.:0
MR CHRIS PATTEN INT DAVID FROST LONDON 4 APRIL 1993
11
MR PATTEN:
I think that is probably true. I think that for some people in
any party, or for some people in the Conservative Party if you are
from the left of the party, it is a father sort of neuralgic thing
for them and they react in all sorts of ways without actually
taking account of what you say or what you actually believe I
think it is easier to run the Conservative Party from the middle.
INTERVIEWER:
But you would like to continue, afte. Hong Kong, in some form of
public service?
MR PATTEN:
I would like to continue in some form of public service but that is a long time ahead, I have got 4 years plus still in Hong Kong and I want to do this job as well and as conscientiously as
possible.
INTERVIEWER:
And you would never, under any circumstances, withdraw from Hong Kong before 1 July 1997?
MR PATTEN:
I cannot imagine what the circumstances would be. People occasionally write speculative, even flatteringly speculative,
pieces about it but I can never actually see what those
circumstances would be. I agreed with the Prime Minister and the