GOVERNOR Chris Patten will find his every move watched with renewed interest by Tory MPs when he visits London to give three lectures next month.
Yesterday, Mr Patten told The Guardian he had received several offers of a seat from Conservative associations but had 'courteously and firmly turned them down'.
He said he did not think it was possible to talk seriously about the political prospects of somebody who was out of the British political scene and 'some distance' from any question of party leadership.
Mr Patten made no secret that he has learnt from his Asian experience, especially the relationship between sluggish growth and high unemployment in Europe, and taxation and public spending.
Government House officials said the visit had been planned for several months and had nothing to do with this week's endorsement of Mr Patten as his successor by John Major.
Mr Patten is expected to discuss the outcome of the Bangkok summit and links between Europe and Asia during a talk to the Economic and Social Research Council.
