With no sign of Beijing softening its stance on a timetable for universal suffrage, the possibility that Mr Tsang will show courageous leadership in a push for universal suffrage is remote.

The statement was signed by 25 pan-democratic legislators plus political heavyweights including former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang, Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun and National People's Congress local deputy Allen Lee Peng-fei. Such backing indicates that a broadly based democratic force has begun to take shape.

Call it an opposition faction or a loosely organised coalition, there is no doubt that it will function as the flagship of pro-democracy groups in the long-running battle for universal suffrage.

In view of Beijing's support for Mr Tsang and the lack of a strong candidate of their own, it looks unlikely that the democrats will be able to thwart the chief executive's expected bid for re-election next year.

On the social front, indiscreet remarks made by education secretary Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun about the suicides of two teachers ignited a massive venting of grievances by teachers over the education reforms of the past six years.

Many people are clearly sympathetic towards the plight of teachers, who are enduring long hours and unreasonable workloads related wholly or partly to education reform.

Officials' attempts to play down the role of reforms in the suicides has deepened mistrust. The public outcry over Mrs Law's remarks has laid bare deep-seated grievances and doubts about the government's approach to pursuing reform in the classroom.

At the heart of the issue is the question of whether education officials have listened to, and taken account of, the feelings and aspirations of teachers during the overhaul.

Education reform and universal suffrage sound unrelated, but they have one thing in common: the government's failure to secure the trust and support of major stakeholders in both processes.

Despite the rhetoric of partnership, the relationship between government and teachers has become increasingly strained as the reforms proceeded.

Mrs Law's gaffe unleashed a groundswell of mistrust and frustration among teachers about the whole system.

In a similar vein, this week's public demand by the 35 political and community leaders reflects their lack of trust and faith in Mr Tsang.

Put bluntly, they are sceptical that he has done, and will do, his utmost to put a strong case for universal suffrage to the Beijing leaders.

Without a solid base of trust and respect, the row over the teachers' suicides turned into a storm over education reform, forcing the government to take immediate action to help defuse the tension.

Contrary to Mr Tsang's avowed goal of seeking harmony and trust, an air of disharmony and suspicion has sunk in.

Chris Yeung is the Post's editor-at-large