SINCE the Legislative Council election in September, there have been various commentaries on the setback suffered by the Democratic Party. Some argue that the party is torn by factional in-fighting and has become more 'radical' and alienated from the middle class.
Meanwhile, the party is conducting a soul-searching exercise, which included its 'Listen to the People' campaign last month. The findings of its review team will be presented to the party's annual meeting next month.
The debates have discussed the long-term vision of the Democratic Party in post-1997 Hong Kong. Over the past two years, party debates have often been portrayed by the media as a power struggle between the so-called 'young turks' and the 'mainstream' factions of the party, with party elders Martin Lee Chu-ming and Szeto Wah keeping an aloof position.
Conflicts allegedly surround the split between pursuing a pro-grassroots line and a pro-middle-class orientation, and between an anti-Beijing and anti-Tung stance and a more moderate and conciliatory approach.
There are indeed younger members of the party who have become impatient and are keen to move up the party ladder much faster in order to qualify for a higher place in its lists for Legco elections. Some of them are district councillors, who in the past could have aspired for membership in the two now-defunct municipal councils to advance their political careers.
There are certainly some voices in the party who, during the present period of economic recession when the lower-income sectors are worst hit, are in favour of a more pro-grassroots policy platform. The intense debate in September last year over the minimum-wage issue was a case in point.
