AN independent legislator and one United Democrat went against the tide yesterday to defend Governor Chris Patten against criticism that he lacked commitment towards Hong Kong after 1997.
Emily Lau Wai-hing and Dr Conrad Lam Kui-shing were speaking on the second day of the Legislative Council's debate on Mr Patten's policy address.
Dr Lam said he believed the October 6 speech had been unfairly evaluated by legislators who claimed Mr Patten's social reform programmes were temporary, piecemeal and lacked long-term commitment.
''I still remember that policy speeches in the 1980s always earned praise from most legislators,'' he said.
While feeling disappointed by some aspects of Mr Patten's address, Dr Lam said he suspected lopsided adverse comments made by other lawmakers were politically motivated.
''Some Chinese officials have only to slightly frown on the policy address and praise becomes criticism,'' he said.
