Democrats likely to reject mass resignations plan
The Democratic Party would most likely reject a plan to trigger a de facto referendum on universal suffrage through mass resignations by pan-democrat lawmakers, a senior member said.
This was because the majority of rank-and-file Democratic Party members did not share the belief of the Civic Party and the League of Social Democrats that this could further the campaign for democratisation.
'Our rejection of the resignation plan is only a matter of time,' the senior party member said ahead of the launch of the government's constitutional reform proposal later this month. 'Even if all five [geographical] candidates are returned, then what? Will the government listen?'
Under the plan, first floated by the league and backed by the Civic Party, which plans to seek negotiations with the government first, one pan-democrat lawmaker from each of the five geographical constituencies would resign following publication of reform consultation papers. By contesting the ensuing by-elections on a joint platform demanding universal suffrage by 2012 or a clear road map of when and how that would happen if that date were not possible, they hoped to create a de facto referendum to pressure the government.
But the Democratic Party is unconvinced, with most leaders believing the possibility of losing seats, as well as the possibility of a negative swing in public opinion, far outweighs potential benefits.
The senior member said that as many rank-and-file members had already expressed their opposition, the leadership would most likely reject the proposal formally at a party general meeting next month.
The politician also said that party leaders had become increasingly unhappy with the league's tendency to criticise other pan-democrats for not being radical enough in the fight for universal suffrage. The referendum plan's future will be in doubt if the Democrats opt out. Civic Party leader Audrey Eu Yuet-mee said co-operation with the league depended on the radical group's intentions.
Eu said consideration had to be given to what would benefit overall progress towards full democracy. 'We will have to discuss with our pan-democratic allies and we do not wish to see any splits in the camp.'
League chairman Wong Yuk-man said his group would definitely continue with its resignation plan, even if nobody else joined it. 'We will have to consider a plan B, which is to resign ourselves even though we only have three seats,' he said. 'Then people can tell who is truly fighting for democracy.'
