Patten's radio spot may cook up a culinary upset
NOT a good time to be going to your favourite Chinese restaurant in London (or anywhere in Britain for that matter) on a certain Friday early next month.
For in another first for a Hongkong governor, Chris Patten will be a guest on the hugely popular BBC radio show Any Questions, where listeners can call to ask questions on anything from the state of the British economy to the best recipe for Peking duck.(The latter is probably more Mr Patten's specialty these days!) With most of Britain's sizeable Hongkong community - a majority of whom are involved in the catering business - probably wanting to get on the line to quiz the Governor, you can imagine what it will do to dinner that night.
I understand Mr Patten's presence on the programme is more as a favour to presenter David Dimbleby, who is a close friend of the Pattens.
But as a man with a future in mainstream British political life to look forward to after 1997, the programme will certainly give him an opportunity to touch base at grassroots level - unless, of course, Hongkong Chinese clog the lines and start asking him about the Basic Law.
Although the Pattens are visiting England for an Easter break, the Governor will be breaking off from hunting Easter eggs with his mate John Major at Chequers, the PM's country mansion, to address the influential Royal Institute of International Affairs.
Meanwhile, the social diaries of both Chris and Lavender have been cleared for March 19 so they can catch up with another friend from home, Elton John, at the Coliseum.
Supper at Government House followed by a jam-session with Elton over the piano in the drawing room is surely on the cards.
Mind you, Elton can always invite the Pattens to join him for a bite at the Waterfront Bar and Restaurant on Lamma Island, which I understand has been booked up by him for the whole night on one day of his Hongkong sojourn.
The Piano Man could then hitch a ride there on the Lady Maurine.
