Former chief secretary Sir David Akers-Jones yesterday criticised the democrats for organising a march to fight for greater democracy after the latest constitutional reform proposal, saying it was unproductive to pitch Hong Kong against Beijing.
He said the government's reform plan was acceptable despite being only a small step forward, but urged the government to introduce a second legislative chamber in 2012.
He said it remained the best plan to bring about universal suffrage while keeping checks on directly elected legislators.
Sir David, president of the Business and Professionals Federation of Hong Kong, said that despite the lack of any 'giant step forward' towards full democracy, the government's proposal was still acceptable.
'I am happy we are making some movement in the right direction,' he said.
But the former colonial official was critical of the pro-democracy camp's planned protest.