Wrong message, right track? United States Democratic Party presidential nominee Barack Obama rose to rock star status on the back of a theme and a slogan emphasising change. Why, then, does Hong Kong's prominent civil rights lawyer-politician, Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee base her campaign on what looks like exactly the opposite theme? 'We have withstood the test of time. Our values do not change,' is the slogan of the Civic Party candidate. Party leader Audrey Eu Yuet-mee explained: 'The reason is simple. America has been on the wrong track. But our representative in Legco has always been on the right track.' As if to illustrate that Ms Ng's principles have stood the test of time, some of the profession's most respected elders were present to support her yesterday. Others not usually associated with the Civic Party, such as barristers Gary Plowman and Anthony Neoh gave written support. Ms Ng said she had complete faith in the values of the new generation of lawyers. She cited as an example Bar Association chairman Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung, who sprang to the defence of judicial independence after Vice-President Xi Jinping's remarks that there should be 'support' among the judiciary, the legislature and the executive authorities. The move by Mr Yuen, who is in his early 40s, 'made me very proud', she said. More bickering on the lists Observations by analysts that this election will be more about infighting within political camps than anything else are looking more valid each day. While the pro-establishment groups face a further dilution of their vote now that the Liberal Party is fielding a list to contest Hong Kong Island seats, the Democratic Party's Yeung Sum sees himself as able to take advantage of their struggle. Listed second on his party's list, Dr Yeung had resigned himself to stepping down as a legislator, but news of the Liberals' move breathed new life into his campaign. Dr Yeung said pan-democrats could now return four candidates on Hong Kong Island, two from his party. But the pan-democrats have the same problem as the pro-establishment lobby. 'I hope our voters understand that if their votes are too scattered, it will only benefit the pro-establishment [candidates],' he said, implicitly acknowledging that their key concern will also be preventing others from their own camp reducing their share of the votes. Some are giving up while the going gets good 'Bus Uncle' Roger Chan Yuet-tung's unresolved financial problem means he has been unable to come up with the cash to launch his candidacy. Mr Chan, best known for his tirade against a young passenger which was caught on video and put on the internet, was unable to contest the Hong Kong Island by-election and chief executive poll last year for the same reason. But even without a campaign to run, he has pledged to support sex workers. He has also expressed an interest in the Yau Tsim Mong by-election for a district council seat. Similarly, eccentric barrister Lee Wing-kin has also given up the idea of running for the legal sector, saying a private matter has arisen. 'I hope for change in society and I will continue to serve the community when my private matter is resolved,' he said, without specifying how. Former Liberal Party member John Wong Yee-him was a little more open about why he would no longer run for the medical sector seat. 'I've never lost, but you can see there are already four candidates. If I know I can't win, why should I run?' he said.
