Hong Kong Democratic Party stirs up universal suffrage reform package controversy

June 23, 2010 The has been stirring up some controversy by proposing a revision of the  regarding the  in Hong Kong, which the local government as well as the National People's Congress, accepted. (LegCo) lawmakers are scheduled to cast their ballots tomorrow to decide whether or not the proposal will be accepted, and it is highly likely that the proposal will be approved.

Yesterday night, the Democratic Party held a long meeting to debate on the controversial issue. After five hours, consensus aroused in the Party to accept the package, with only 63 opposed to the LegCo part of the proposal and 71 to the Chief Executive part, as compared to 246 and 237 in support of the LegCo and Chief Executive parts respectively. "The decision is not just a historical one for the Democratic Party, but also a milestone for the city's progress in democracy," said the Party chairman.

Under the new revision, ten constituencies would be added to the original 60 of the LegCo, five of which are functional constituencies and would be voted by elected district councilors. Those who are not elected will not be permitted to vote. This allows the people to indirectly participate in the election.

The vice president of China, had approved the amended proposal in order to prevent Hong Kong's political situation from worsening. The also approved the proposal, and the Chief Executive of Hong Kong,  said there is a 'ray of hope' for the democratic development of Hong Kong as a result. The decision broke the stalemate between the government and the Democratic Party. According to Ming Pao, the decision also improved the chances of Xi Jinping's becoming the next president.

The proposal is also popular among the political parties, such as the, , and. Politicians, and Tsang Hin-chi also support the proposal, the former stating that the proposal was 'worthy of consideration'.

However, the proposal received heavy criticism among radical democrats, including the (LSD) and the, as well as the general public. The LSD met outside the Causeway Bay branch of the, where the Democratic Party's meeting was held, to protest. They stepped onto a roasted pigeon, symbolising the Democratic Party as the Party's logo included a dove. They waved placards with the names of seven of the party's lawmakers and condemned them for being "democracy sinners." The Party had also protested when Ho participated in the and during a meeting of the.

During the City Forum, where Ho, of the Civic Party and a National People's Congress representative talked, LSD members frequently booed and attacked Ho. Even after Franklin Wong rescued Ho and put him in his car, some 'Brothers of Victoria Park' still surrounded the car, and police officers had to protect Ho so that he could leave. During the above mentioned meeting, many people claiming to be previous supporters of the Democratic Party accused the Party of betraying them, including a 80-year-old man called Chan, a 31-year-old named Cheung and an unnamed middle-aged woman.

These actions were condemned by Democratic Party members, including, , and. Ho said that, 'when extreme leftists and rightists attack you, you know that are in the right track'.

However, not all Democratic Party members supported the proposal. , the founder of the Democratic Party, had earlier vowed to leave the party should the package be backed. He stated that he was bitterly disappointed, and needed two weeks' time to consider whether he should quit or not. Party member also opposed the proposal, as did. The former is thinking of leaving the party.

Ho says he will try to persuade the two to support the package in private. It has been predicted that once Lee and Cheng leave the party, around 20 members will follow their lead, putting the unity of the party at stake and leaving the party to face its greatest danger since 2000.