The Basic Law stipulates that 'the ultimate aim is the election of all the members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage'. But the key phrase in the constitution referring to the achievement of that aim is 'if there is a need to amend' the present provision whereby only half of the council's 60 seats will be directly elected by its third term in 2004-2008.
There is already a need. The present system is self-defeating, cumbersome and frustrating for the administration and the legislature. The public are increasingly dissatisfied with the way the Government and Legco are in constant collision, with lawmakers reduced to a largely ineffective opposition, in a chamber so slanted by the proportional representation system that the biggest winners in the polls are reduced to a band of powerless bystanders when bills are debated.
An electorate that is maturing politically deserves something better. It should be able to put real power into the hands of lawmakers, instead of constantly having to return a band of nay-sayers who can only influence government policy by amending it or voting it down.
The fact the three major political parties have a consensus to achieve the change to full democracy does not mean 'one man, one vote' is guaranteed. To begin with, the consent of the chief executive must be given in seeking an amendment to the Basic Law, and there is a question mark over who will hold that office up to 2008.
The selection process for a new chief executive takes place in 2002, and he or she will set the pace for the future.
The SAR will need an incumbent with the vigour and the political skills to hold any planned changes on course. But it is just as vital that Hong Kong representatives to the National People's Congress are forward-looking and in tune with public aspirations, because their support will be crucial.
DAB support The chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, Tsang Yok-sing, believes that only when the chief executive and his ministers have backing from the political parties with majority control of the legislature can Hong Kong have effective governance. He is right.
