The slowdown in the pace of introducing democracy after the handover has been like forcing the genie back into Aladdin's lamp, says Man Sai-cheong.

Mr Man, speaking in a telephone interview with the Sunday Morning Post, said former governor Chris Patten's political blueprint had released political energy in society.

'It increased significantly the franchise.

'However, the cut in the franchise after the handover was just like forcing the genie back into Aladdin's lamp,' Mr Man said.

The genie in Aladdin's lamp, a character in an Arabian fairy tale, has magic power and can grant his master wishes.

Mr Patten's political reform was seen by China as a move to derail the through-train of the political system as it significantly increased the franchise of the functional constituencies and election committee.

This enabled Legco to be elected by nearly full universal suffrage.

Running on a joint ticket with Martin Lee Chu-ming in 1991 in Hong Kong East constituency, Mr Man was returned with 43,615 votes, 21.6 per cent of the total of the constituency. Voters in each constituency are allowed to cast two votes, one for each of two seats.

But Mr Man decided to quit politics and settled in Canada in 1995 because he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Mr Man was cultural affairs spokesman for the United Democrats of Hong Kong, which evolved into the Democrats.

He has now set up a bookstore in Toronto and also conducts research into Chinese culture.

'I have not thought of returning to settle in Hong Kong. I have developed a sense of belonging here,' he said.