THE Liberal Party may soon get its first directly-elected legislator, it emerged yesterday.
New Territories West legislator Dr Tang Siu-tong said he had moved a step closer to joining the newly-formed party.
This came as the Association for the Stability of Hongkong, sister organisation of the Heung Yee Kuk dropped an earlier plan to change into a political party.
The decision was welcomed by Liberal Party leader Mr Allen Lee Peng-fei, who said yesterday he would ''lobby very hard'' for the association's members to join his party.
Dr Tang agreed this would be good news. ''The hurdle has been reduced,'' he said. ''If the association is not going to form a political party, its members are free to join any party they want.'' Dr Tang had been targeted by both groups and it is understood he had previously been inclined to side with the association with which he has close connections in the New Territories.
He said yesterday he now ''would not have to antagonise the other group'' should he join the Liberal Party but added he would want to learn more about the party before he decided.