Pan-democratic parties threaten to boycott electoral reform consultation

There appears little sign that the deadlock over electoral reform is likely to be broken, with pan-democrats vowing to launch a campaign of non-cooperation and an executive councillor urging them to accept reality or risk harming Hong Kong's status.

Leaders of two major pan-democratic parties say they will boycott the next round of consultation on reform later this year - in which the government's proposal must conform to Beijing's tough framework announced on Sunday.

"It is pointless to get involved in the second round of consultation [as we are going to veto it anyway]," said Civic Party leader Alan Leong Kah-kit. He said the party would not engage in any dialogue with government officials about the reform proposal.

All 27 pan-democratic legislators vowed to veto the proposal, and leaders of Occupy Central said an "era of disobedience" had begun.

"All pan-democrats are under immense pressure to think of something to do, or not to do, in a so-called non-cooperation campaign," Leong said. "There is no way to expect the pan-democratic lawmakers to go back to Legco and behave as before."

Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing said even if a public opinion poll showed more people wanted the proposal to pass than be vetoed, her party would not change its mind, "because we will explain to them there is no genuine choice of candidates and I believe many will not accept it".