Divisions in Hong Kong pro-democracy camp widen in political reform debate

Hong Kong Democrats split in political reform vote

HONG KONG — A second Hong Kong Democrat defied his party Thursday and said he will vote against Beijing-backed political reforms, as divisions among the former British colony’s political opposition widened on the second day of debate on an election bill.

With the Chinese government preferring gradual changes to the territory’s undemocratic political system, Hong Kong’s legislature is considering proposals that expand its leader selection committee from 800 to 1,200 people and add 10 seats to the 60-member legislature, which is half-elected, half chosen by interest groups.

Beijing has all but secured passage of the limited reforms by winning over moderates in the pro-democracy camp with a last-minute concession. Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang on Monday agreed to a Democratic Party suggestion to put the five new interest group seats to a popular vote. The Democratic Party holds 9 of the 23 seats held by the opposition.

Meanwhile, in a political bonus to Beijing, the proposals have divided its opposition. Much of what is expected to be a marathon debate has been characterized by bickering among pro-democracy legislators, with hard-line members accusing the Democratic Party of abandoning the fight for full democracy.

“There is a strengthening voice for change in society demanding that the Hong Kong government follow public opinion and move toward genuine democracy actively,” Civic Party legislator Alan Leong said Thursday. “If we pass this so-called ‘improved’ bill, this momentum will disappear.”

Democrat Andrew Cheng said he opposed the compromise and announced he will quit the party on Wednesday. Chairman Albert Ho was heckled by calls of “shameful” and splashed with water as he left the legislature late Wednesday.

On Thursday, Democrat James To said he will stay in the party but vote no on the election bill, arguing that the proposed changes legitimize the practice of giving legislative seats to interest groups.

“This plan is unacceptable,” To said.

Democrats who back the bill say that while they will continue the fight for free elections, it is time for some concrete — if flawed — progress, otherwise their supporters will lose patience.

“People accuse us of compromising. I want to ask all of my friends in the pro-democracy camp, who hasn’t thought about this problem before they ran for election and entered this legislature? Have any of us compromised? We have all compromised,” legislator Lee Wing-tat said.