Will election ban on Hong Kong radical fuel a wave of public support for independence?

Localists have warned of more protests in the wake of Edward Leung Tin-kei’s disqualification from the Legislative Council race, but whether their actions can be sustained and, more importantly, receive lasting support from the public are the big unknowns.

What is certain is that the election ban has given the Hong Kong Indigenous leader an elevated stature he would otherwise not have enjoyed – an outcome not lost on him when he warned that his group’s only option now was to take to the streets.

“The contradictions and confrontations will intensify,” he said during an RTHK radio programme on Wednesday, without revealing their exact course of action.

Leung’s bid to win a seat in the legislature next month came to an end on Tuesday when returning officer Cora Ho Lai-sheung threw out his candidacy as she did not believe him to be sincere when he claimed he no longer backed the idea of Hong Kong independence.

Following the invalidation of his candidacy, Leung said a “revolution” was necessary in retaliation.