EIGHTEEN MEMBERS of the pro-democracy camp in the Legislative Council planned a walkout when the contentious Chief Executive Election Bill was adopted. But that wasn't how it worked out. One dissenter, legal representative Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee, stayed on to speak about other issues. Five 'yes men' went out with the protesters.
After 11 hours in the chamber, Eric Li Ka-cheung, Philip Wong Yu-hong, James Tien Pei-chun, Howard Young and Abraham Razack headed for the door at the same time. Democrats accused them of wanting to sabotage the protest by making it look as if everyone was leaving to take a breather. Oh well, functional constituency members don't have to care about the electorate, and at least they pleased Beijing.
Now it can be told. Financial Secretary Antony Leung Kam-chung has a drinking problem. He cannot get access to his favourite tipple during Legco sessions without the media finding out. He is to ask the Legco secretariat if it can protect his privacy by having a drinks machine installed in the legislators' lounge. Then, he can enjoy a quick slurp between sessions, away from the eagle eyes of political hacks.
It isn't alcohol he's after. It's Coca-Cola. Mr Leung is an addict. But the only machine in the building is in the press room. Every time he needs a Coke, he's trapped there and bombarded with questions.
The side chamber, where officials relax, offers water, coffee or tea - but no Coke. If he gets his way - and who will argue with the man who holds the SAR's purse strings? - he'll have done colleagues a favour. Especially Secretary for Trade and Commerce Brian Chau Tak-hay, who is also a big fan of the sugar-laced fizz.
Hard to believe in the present climate, but there was a time when Martin Lee Chu-ming, the chairman of the Democratic Party, was the toast of Beijing and the hero of Hong Kong left-wingers.
