WHEN enemies threaten home territory, it's time for candidates to put up their guard. Martin Lee's wife put her foot down after he was challenged by his pro-Beijing female opponent to attend 18 district-level election meetings in the constituency.
His wife apparently said it would mean she would see less of her husband than 'that woman', Choy So-yuk, whose name Mr Lee remembered, but not the new party, the Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, to which she belongs.
But Mr Lee kept this to himself, telling Ms Choy her suggestion was inappropriate because there were already forums organised by the media and other groups to keep voters in touch with candidates.
Mr Lee said he felt he could spend the time more fruitfully conducting home visits, and denied he feared his opponent wanted to steal his limelight.
Ms Choy, of course, was unhappy with this explanation, saying Mr Lee was not giving his constituents a chance to get to know all the candidates. Maybe she would be satisfied if Mr Lee disclosed his private reasons.
CANDIDATES in the new Hotel and Catering constituency say they will pay handsomely for those who come up with an effective way to encourage voting.
