Democratic Party members sought to put aside differences yesterday and were warned that hard work was needed to remain the leading political grouping.
Chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming told members at a closed-door meeting that improvements had to be made.
'I can't see a perfect way out at the moment in an environment where the party is being targeted by the central Government and the SAR Government.
'Although the road ahead is difficult, we will keep moving in the direction of democracy and the rule of law, which we believe is good for both Hong Kong and the mainland,' he said.
The meeting was called to look ahead to the September Legco polls and to review the results of the district councils election in November in which the party was seen to have been beaten by its rival, the DAB.
The aim was also to smooth over differences between the mainstream of the party and the so-called radicals or Young Turks.
The two groups have provoked fears of a split after crossing swords over the party's direction and positioning.
