What gives me additional confidence in reflecting on those views is that Hong Kong is one of the few issues in British politics that by and large there is cross-party agreement at Westminster. Of course, from time to time, there have been criticisms of our policies. One or two of the functional constituencies in the House of Lords have occasionally been critical, but by and large we have been able to look to understanding and support right across the political spectrum, from Liberal Democracts, from Labour and Conservatives. Look at the support we have had from the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. That persuades me that what I am saying is not true of individuals, but it is true of the political establishment in the United Kingdom, and I hope it is true of our media too.
On which happy note of blessed consensual unanimity, I will make my excuses and leave. Thank you very much indeed.
End
Governor's press briefing at London Office
Following is the transcript of a press briefing by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, at Hong Kong Government Office in London at 1730 hours BST today (Thursday):
Chris Patten: I am sorry to keep you waiting, but my meeting at the Foreign Office went on rather longer than I expected. I am also sorry to be inviting you to the second press conference of the day. I have nothing new to say, though you might be able to squeeze something new out of me, and I do not know whether you have any new questions.
Just let me recap. I had a couple of days of useful meetings here in London with the Prime Minister yesterday and with Foreign Office officials today. I was also pleased to speak at two very well-attended occasions. I am going to Northern Ireland tomorrow, where the principal event is a speech at the Institute of Directors annual dinner, when I will be setting out for Northern Ireland businessmen the attractions of the Hong Kong economy, and also will be looking at one or two things with which I have been involved over the years, and I am going back to Hong Kong on Saturday. It has been one of my shorter duty visits; the next one I am hoping to make in July, when among other things I will be attending the Royal Tournament, at which there will be a substantial Hong Kong representation.