Reformists may boycott Democrats' peace meeting
Reformist members of the Democratic Party may snub a conciliatory meeting with the mainstream party leadership next month, with some saying they wonder what can be achieved by 'just having dinner'.
Sai Kung district councillor Gary Fan Kwok-wai, who has often criticised senior party figures for the lack of a succession plan, said certain members of the reformist faction did not want to be involved in a mere public relations exercise.
'Some of us feel that nothing concrete can be achieved from the meeting,' he said.
'We don't want to send out a message that they can just sit down, have dinner with us, and then afterwards declare everything is resolved.
'The problem isn't with the personalities, but with the system of the party.'
Mr Fan said whether the dinner would take place was in serious question, without indicating who would snub the January 3 event.
Following a landslide victory for the mainstream faction in the party elections this month, newly elected vice-chairman Tik Chi-yuen said the new leadership would try to mend bridges through meetings with reformists. Mr Tik and lawmaker Sin Chung-kai were elected vice-chairmen and Albert Ho Chun-yan chairman, defeating reformists.
'When there are winners, there are always losers, so of course there will be some who are unhappy,' said Mr Tik, adding it was inevitable that individual members would not attend, but most of those he had contacted had promised to come.
'It's always good to improve communication so we can work together. If they want changes in the party structure, or system, then of course, we can discuss that.'
Mr Tik he felt the party's response to the new leadership was 'positive', although relations could be improved. Simmering discontent boiled over in January when Mr Fan openly criticised the leadership for failing to give younger members more opportunities, while the veterans hogged most of the political limelight.
The rift widened in November when a report by the mainstream faction criticised a central reformist for failing to report meetings with mainland figures.
Mr Tik said one of the key challenges for next year would be to reunite the party as well as prepare for the district council elections. He said lesser-known members would be given more exposure.
