Anson Chan working on a 'people's platform'
Anson Chan Fang On-sang has been working with pan-democrats to come up with a 'people-oriented' election platform - on top of pushing for democracy - as she finalises her Legco by-election campaign team.
Her core group of advisers has also been pressing ahead to complete a report on the government green paper on constitutional reform and plans to publish the report in the next few weeks to coincide with her campaign.
Leaders of the Civic Party and the Democratic Party have been organising on Mrs Chan's behalf to search for people to fill key posts in her campaign team, as well as starting to consider a campaign strategy including an election platform.
Civic Party leader Audrey Eu Yuet-mee said experts from various policy areas would probably be asked to help draft Mrs Chan's platform, similar to the strategy in Alan Leong Kah-kit's campaign in the chief executive election.
'I am sure Mrs Chan will consult widely, but there will be a team to work on the platform,' Ms Eu said.
Democrat Lee Wing-tat, who will be a member of Mrs Chan's campaign team, said he hoped her platform would focus not only on the introduction of universal suffrage and good governance, but also on livelihood and economic issues.
'Anson will need a people-oriented platform to give a caring image in a direct election. Although she has been in the government for 39 years, her platform should not reflect the maintenance of the status quo but should also address issues such as poverty, unemployment and property developments,' Mr Lee said.
The two parties have almost completed a head-hunting exercise to fill Mrs Chan's campaign team. Although the campaign manager has yet to be decided, candidates for other positions have already been identified and are awaiting Mrs Chan's approval.
Veteran journalist Lucy Chan Wai-yee, who was Mr Leong's media adviser, has indicated her availability, while Mr Leong's former campaign manager, Wong Ming-lok, has promised to work part-time in Mrs Chan's campaign.
Logistical work to set up an election office is under way and a central venue with a three-month lease is being sought.
Sources close to Mrs Chan said that due to the HK$2 million cap on election expenses, people should not expect it to be a luxurious office. In the past, Mrs Chan had an elitist image because she held press conferences in five-star hotels.
It is expected that members of Mrs Chan's core group of advisers, who were helping her with the issue of constitutional reform, will take a more back-seat role in her campaign.
Elizabeth Bosher, a member of Mrs Chan's core group, said her colleagues would meet Mrs Chan next week to finalise details of a report they were compiling in response to the government green paper.
'The core group will focus on completing the documents on the green paper, because we have to publish it before October 10,' Mrs Bosher said.
