Agnes Wu Mang-ching, 38, is a director of Karl-Thomson Securities Company and a resident of Hong Kong Island This year's candidates in the financial services constituency have been fiercely competing for a seat in the Legislative Council. They all have their own agenda. As a director of a securities firm, I want them to fight for our interests and get our voice heard in Legco. In the past, there have been few discussions within the financial services sector about regulations. Many of the smaller stock brokerage companies often do not get their voices heard. The larger firms have the resources to work within the regulatory guidelines. They can use an overseas company to work on specific projects to avoid violating certain regulations. In the event that they do overstep the regulatory lines, they have the resources to hire a team of legal representatives to fight their battle in court. Many local firms, however, do not have this luxury. This creates an uneven playing field. The situation could improve if the new legislator representing the sector spoke up on these issues. This could be done by ensuring that certain government policies would not favour large financial institutions. For example, currently, only a few large banks can sell government bonds. But if smaller agents could provide this type of service as well, then it could boost local firms' income. Functional constituencies are an important part of the political system in Hong Kong. Without them, various professions will lose the voice that represents them. This could prove disastrous to the everyday consumer. Small investors are better protected by having those who know the industry well to review government policies that could affect their investments. The investment market has become more sophisticated over the years. It could very easily be manipulated by the large firms. In the past, the voice for the financial services sector in Legco has not been loud enough. Looking at the insurance industry, where I used to work, Bernard Chan kept us informed by sending regular newsletters about the industry, but I did not see that from our previous legislator. I only saw him during the campaigning season. This sector is not very united, so it is very important for us to balance the needs of the small and large firms. Looking at the political parties in Hong Kong, on one side is the pro-Beijing camp which sticks to all government policies, even at the cost of social welfare. Other politicians say they are there to help the blue-collar workers when, in fact, they are not part of the blue-collar class and send their children to international schools. Only those who are close to the grassroots could really know their needs. While I know all the candidates running for a seat in the financial services constituency, I do not know the candidates in my geographic constituency so well, because I rarely spend time at home - except to sleep - as I often work 20 hours a day. I only saw the election campaign posters in my neighbourhood when I went to the wet market for some chicken one day and saw Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai on my left and Ma Lik on my right. Overall, I feel very remote and detached from their world. Maybe it is because I work so much. But when I read the news every day, I feel most of the stories are negative. One cannot help but wonder why politicians cannot clean up their act before running a campaign. I have not decided whether to vote. I am registered, but I have not looked at each candidate closely. I would like to vote for someone who is fair. It does not matter what political party that person is in. All that matters is that I feel the candidate wants to sincerely improve society.