TNAG-1597-FCO40-2182-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1987 — Page 60

OLUNEI

Discussion of principles

22

-

40.

One of the main aims of the proposals in the

1984 White Paper was to develop progressively a system

which is able

of

government

F!

to

represent

authoritatively the views of the people of Hong Kong,

and which is more directly accountable to the people of

Hong Kong." This remains a guiding principle of the

present review.

41.

A system of direct elections to the central

institutions of

government, based on universal

franchise, is a means commonly used in democratic

systems, of ensuring that the views of people at all

levels of the community are fairly represented in the

process of policy-making at the highest level. If one

or more sectors of the population feel themselves to be

excluded entirely from the conduct of central

government

or, if not totally excluded, that their

views are not adequately represented in the making of

decisions which have profound effects on their daily

lives, there is the risk of dissatisfaction within the

community. This could have damaging results on long

term confidence in the system of government as a whole.

42.

Direct elections do not however necessarily

result in stable government.

election tends to encourage

The very process of

confrontation between

SECRET

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