THE conservative faction in the Regional Council yesterday won a battle over the liberals in the by-election to fill the Legislative Council seat vacated by convicted legislator Gilbert Leung Kam-ho.
Alfred Tso Shiu-wai, a candidate supported by the Heung Yee Kuk and pro-China councillors, beat United Democrat Chow Yick-hay as well as independents Lau Kwong-wah and Yeung Fuk-kwong.
Mr Tso secured 17 votes - more than half of the 33 votes cast.
Mr Yeung came second with six votes, while Mr Chow and Mr Lau each received five votes.
The losers attributed their defeat to the strength of the conservative rural forces in the Regional Council.
A smiling Mr Tso said he would try to improve links between the Regional Council and the legislature during his two-year term. He also pledged to reflect the views of Hongkong people to the Chinese authorities.
He had been in contact with Xinhua (New China News Agency), China's de facto embassy in Hongkong, about his decision to run for the election.