Young Liberal Dominic Lee says party needs to make changes
Dominic Lee Tsz-king's defeat in Kwai Tsing four years ago prompted him to switch to Sham Shui Po and propelled him to victory in the Yau Yat Tsuen constituency last month.
Dominic Lee Tsz-king, 31
Political affiliation: Liberal Party (since 2009)
Education: 2006 degree in economics from Rice University, United States
Dominic Lee Tsz-king's defeat in Kwai Tsing four years ago prompted him to switch to Sham Shui Po and propelled him to victory in the Yau Yat Tsuen constituency last month.
Now, as commentators say the district council poll results show voters yearning for change in the political arena, Lee also believes the Liberal Party needs to make changes to win more supporters.
The polls on November 22 saw at least 55 candidates in their 20s winning, including many who unseated veteran councillors.
However, among the five Liberal candidates aged 25 to 35, only Lee and Anson Lam Wai-man, both 31, ended up victorious. That leaves the Liberals with nine seats in all districts - a drop from 12 before the poll.
"The Liberals' performance was average, and slightly worse than what we expected," Lee said.
The Liberals insist they are a "centre-right" pro-establishment party that seeks a middle path in a politically divided city. Before the elections, the Liberals also hoped that honorary chairman James Tien Pei-chun's outspoken style would help candidates.
Tien has been critical of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, and his Facebook page was liked by more than 38,000 users. Many of Tien's posts were liked by thousands, compared to hundreds for Leung's.
But Lee lamented that his party could have overestimated the "James Tien effect".
"Many of those who liked the posts could be supporters of pan-democrats ... but what we need are voters who support the Liberals as their first choice," Lee said.
He said his party could consider setting up internet groups or pages that attracted "first choice" voters, not just lip service.
Making the right changes at the right time would have a lasting effect, Lee added.
About his 2011 defeat in Shek Lei Estate, he said: "It was a constituency with a lot of grassroot families and the Liberals' stance on the minimum wage and retirement protection did not fit it.
"This time I ran in the constituency where my family, friends, relatives and I live. I am familiar with the area and my work has been much easier."
Lee has no plans to run in September's Legislative Council election, saying his first priority is to serve the residents of Yau Yat Tsuen.
He said he planned to talk to education officials, as many parents want the school catchment area to be changed from Sham Shui Po to Kowloon Tong.
