THE first poll of British opinion on calls for right of abode in the UK for Hong Kong people has indicated most people back Governor Chris Patten.
Nearly a week after Mr Patten angered Tory MPs by calling for full right of abode for 3.5 million Hong Kong British passport holders the poll on BBC Television's Question Time indicated that 55 per cent of the large studio audience were in favour of the granting of right of abode, 33 per cent against and 12 per cent undecided.
While the audience could not claim to be a true cross-section of the British public - it was made up of those politically committed enough to want to take part in the programme - the result surprised observers.
Meanwhile, Paddy Ashdown, the Liberal Democrat leader and a staunch advocate of the right of abode, is due to arrive in Hong Kong today for talks with Mr Patten, Democratic Party leader Martin Lee Chu-ming and government officials.
His office said he intends to discuss the passports proposal with the Governor and Hong Kong politicians and is the only British party leader to believe that people from the territory should be granted the right of abode in the UK.
He will also travel to Beijing for talks with Hong Kong and Macau Affairs office representatives.