4.
are fairly cautious, although it should not be
forgotten that they do represent a very significant
change in the method of selecting the members of the
Legislative and Executive Councils from a system
of appointment by the Governor to one of indirect
elections by the people of Hong Kong, mixed with
appointments by the Governor. In my opinion, no
apology is necessary for proceeding cautiously and
pragmatically. And as Mr. Stephen Cheong pointed
out, we must be realistic in what we do.
Direct Elections
6. As regards the question of direct elections,
I do not intend to repeat all the very valid and
cogent reasons which have been set out in the Green
Paper and which you, Sir, rehearsed comprehensively
in your Address to this Council on 18 July, and which
have been reinforced by the remarks of many Members
this afternoon, as to why it would not be wise to
introduce such elections immediately. But I should
make it clear that direct elections have not been
ruled out forever. The time for them may come in
due course, if strong popular support for the idea
/develops...
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.