Hong Kong's opposition pan-democrats plot their next move after defeating reform package
After defeating the electoral reform package, the pan-democrats are moving to plan their strategy for the next legislative and chief executive polls
When a botched ballot magnified an expected defeat of the government's electoral reform package with just eight votes in favour on Thursday, pan-democratic lawmakers gathered in a victorious mood to pose for a group photograph, enjoying their moment in history - but only very briefly.
Soon after they emerged from the Legislative Council chamber, the pan-democrats sounded a prudent note, vowing to continue fighting for true universal suffrage.
2017 will be the next opportunity for the reform debate to grip the whole city again
Granted, their wish to relaunch the reform exercise for the chief executive election may not come true any time soon, as Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has said his administration will put aside the process for the remaining two years of his term.
But as they see it, their next battles will be at the November district council and 2016 Legco elections, to resist losing seats, as Leung and Beijing officials want electors to punish the pan-democratic camp for rejecting the reform plan. They want to retain their "critical minority" in the legislature so there are enough votes to thwart any more attempts at what they call fake universal suffrage.
Ho, a former chairman of the Democratic Party and a "super-seat" lawmaker, has decided to step down from the Legislative Council next year to give younger members of the party a chance to run. He will seek another term as a Tuen Mun district councillor. Ho says the botched walkout by the pro-Beijing legislators on Thursday will help improve morale in the pan-democratic camp.