Electorate voted for ‘better livelihoods and stronger economy’
The victory of Rebecca Chan Hoi-yan from the pro-establishment camp in Sunday’s Legislative Council Kowloon West geographical constituency by-election shows Hong Kong people prioritize economic and livelihood issues, senior politicians said on Monday.
Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the city’s largest political party — the Democratic Alliance for Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong — described the by-election victories as historic and recordmaking. The latest wins truly reflected voters’ preferences, she noted.
“We thank the voters very much for giving a chance to a young and pragmatic candidate who has vowed to put the economy and people’s livelihoods above politics,’’ said Lee. “Hong Kong people are tired of nuisances and internal disruption. If Lee Cheuk-yan won, he would have stirred up trouble in the legislature.”
Lee, who was closely behind Chan’s victorious campaign, said the pro-establishment camp had now secured backto-back by-election triumphs over the opposition.
The same constituency held another by-election in March that saw Vincent Cheng Wingshun, also from the pro-establishment camp, win a seat vacated by the separatist and disqualified lawmaker-elect Yau Wai-ching.
Lee believes this recent campaign was more difficult than the one in March. First and foremost, the preparation time was short, while Chan was a novice without district work experience.
“And as she is not a DAB member, it is rather challenging and difficult to present her to our supporters and we had to think of ways to secure their solid support.”
Despite these difficulties, a great many pro-establishment figures, including ex-officials, rallied for Chan. Many political celebrities such as former LegCo president Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai and former secretary for justice Elsie Leung Oi-sie, who rarely get involved with election candidates, actively supported Chan.
Tam Yiu-chung, the city’s sole member of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, said Chan won because she had responded to people’s desire to have improved livelihoods and a stronger economy.
Chan adopted a rational approach — putting livelihood issues first and setting aside political differences. This helped her secure majority support — from both the voters and pro-establishment camp, Tam explained.
He also noted that Chan’s success, together with Cheng’s victory in March, indicates that Hong Kong residents have become more rational. They are more willing to choose pragmatic candidates who can bring the city prosperity and stability.
Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, incumbent LegCo member who is also from the Kowloon West constituency, said the pro-establishment camp achieved the victory by being united.
“The whole camp put considerable efforts into this campaign. We put the big picture first and showed a spirit of selflessness,” she said.
The result showed a change in the political and social climate in Hong Kong, Leung noted, adding that Chan had drawn a lot of votes from the opposing camp.
“After they (the opposition) caused a lot of chaos, a large number of voters realized their previous approach had been problematic. So voters changed sides after thinking rationally,” explained Leung.