Letter: Dash for democracy

Sir: Hong Kong Island was ceded to Great Britain in 1841, and in 1898 the lease was signed that is to expire in four years. Having controlled the colony for more than 150 years, it appears an unusual political move, not to say perverse, for the British Government to suddenly have a commitment to democracy in Hong Kong that seemingly had been absent for the previous 150 years.

Yours faithfully,

PETER PHILLIPS

Hampton Hill, Middlesex