BRITISH Conservatives of the old school look at their Prime Minister - a Conservative who barely went to school - and despair.
At times like these, thinking Tories come up with wistful speeches entitled ''Chris Patten - the best Prime Minister we never had'' or, in extreme cases, ''John Smith - the best Prime Minister we never had''. The Governor, far too busy in Hong Kong to destroy his future career by putting his own hat in the ring, has been going round instead making speeches about Rab Butler - the best etc . . .
There has long been an undercurrent of nostalgia for the late Sir Richard Austin ''Rab'' Butler among the more centrist, liberal elements of the Conservative Party. The great man inspired considerable affection over the years, giving sterling service in a series of cabinet posts, but never quite making it to Prime Minister.
But China might find Chris Patten's thoughtful interest in the old boy a little confusing. A great statesman he might have been. He established his reforming credentials by supporting home rule for India.
But his support for Sir Neville Chamberlain's Munich Pact with Hitler earned him a reputation as an appeaser. Perhaps the Governor is trying to send a conciliatory message to Beijing.
SORRY, Bernie, we underestimated you. Following our story about Allen Lee's former political assistant Bernard Fong, and his ability to write three articles in the same newspaper under different names, Fung Bun-ngok faxed us to put us right.