THERE is more room for independent legislators in local politics than in the 1991 Legislative Council elections because more people are beginning to doubt political parties, Andrew Wong Wang-fat said while registering to fight in next month's poll.
Mr Wong, a former legislative councillor, was among eight hopefuls lodging their nominations, bringing the total number of candidates to 74.
He is to contest a seat in the New Territories South-east where he won the battle in 1991's first geographically based direct election.
After his eight years in Legco, Mr Wong said he had never felt frightened by his rival, William Wan Hon-cheung from the pro-China Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong. Mr Wan had already registered on the first day of nominations.
Championing other candidates who had no affiliation to political parties, he said: 'Four years since the last election, Hong Kong people's thinking has changed.
'People have started to doubt political parties. The space for the existence of independent legislators is widening instead of shrinking,' Mr Wong, a 51-year-old lecturer said.
Having worked as the deputy chairman of Legco's House Committee, his ambition is for more than just a seat in the poll, he wants to be the next chairman of Legco.
