TNAG-2493-FCO40-3625-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-Chinese-reac-1992 — Page 82

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United Front is likely to do better with DBS

14.

The

and related

local

been useful

organisations

(e.g. MACS). These have

sources of support for HKG in the past. But HKG

cannot take this situation for granted:

(a) The elimination of appointed members removes

an important source of HKG patronage and

influence and

creates supporters for the

United

Front's

campaign

constitutional package.

against

the

(b)

the

Directly-elected DB members are not automatic

supporters of the constitutional package. (In

1991 DB elections, United Front candidates

and sympathisers won 46 ber cent of the seats,

while "liberal" candidates won only 45 per

cent.)

(c)

The United Front has mobilised LegCo members

who sit on DBS (e.g., Eric LI) to attack the

effectively

constitutional package

personal lobbying.

through

GF 323

CONFIDENTIAL

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