5
It cannot be denied that Members of Kwai Tsing District Board
of this term have placed less emphasis on cultural and recreational
activities. LEE Wing-tat explained that this was because the Regional
Council had taken up part of the job and so the District Board did not
have to organize so many cultural activities.
The Kwai Tsing Fifteen working for re-election
In respect of people's livelihood, the Fifteen have stood firmly
on the side of the residents, but they may be several steps ahead in politics,
At the banquet held in honour of HOWE, the former Foreign
Secretary of Britain, LEE Wing-tat openly accused him of selling out
the interests of Hong Kong people. He had, afterwards, received phone calls
from members of the public who strongly disapproved of his act. Earlier on
he and several other democrats were convicted of using loud-speakers
unlawfully. Dissatisfied with the court's decision, they refused to pay
the $150 fine and decided to lodge an appeal against the conviction.
also drew criticisms from some people, but at the same time voices of admiration
were heard too.
This
To the majority of people, their biggest wish is stability and
the political inclination of the democrats may appear too "radical" for
them. For instance, in the drive for direct election in 1988, the Fifteen
were criticized as "causing disorder in Hong Kong". Even those grass-root
organizations which are on close terms with the democrats indicated that
most of the time the public could not keep pace with the democrats. If
they want the electorate to appreciate their political stand, they have to
encourage more participation from the public.
To avoid dictatorship of the democrats
However, LEE Wing-tat believed that it was natural and inevitable
that the public could not keep pace with them. Citing the OMELCO concensus
model as
an example, he pointed out that Members were bound to have a
higher expectation and better understanding of the pace of democratization
than the public. He also understood that when the pace of political
development was quickened, it would be even more difficult to tackle the
problem arising from the disparity in political awareness between politicians
and electorate.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.