By now, it has become all too clear that there is no love lost between League of Social Democrats lawmakers and the chief executive. When top officials have appeared in the Legislative Council previously for question-and-answer sessions or for the announcement of major policies, they have had to duck and weave to avoid projectiles hurled their way. However, yesterday even the league's chairman, Wong Yuk-man, jokingly apologised for the anticlimax to the latest question-and-answer session. Not only did the three league lawmakers refrain from hurling any bananas, they managed to avoid being evicted from the chamber - and two even asked questions. Despite the league's approach to compromise yesterday, it was more a case of love's labours lost, as neither side seemed to have mended any fences. Leung Kwok-hung chose to spar with Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen over matters of general knowledge, asking if he knew the origin of the phrase 'love one another, as I have loved you', which is inscribed on the tombstone of Mother Teresa. Tsang once joked on a television interview that he should use the picture of Mother Teresa he always keeps in his pocket to keep him calm and to ward off the antagonism from the likes of Leung and his league colleagues. Leung, however, was clearly a little rusty in the art of packing as many opinions as possible under the guise of a question, as his query was seized upon by Legislative Council president Tsang Yok-sing, who told him: 'If that is your question, then please sit down.' Nevertheless, Leung managed to force through more questions, saying that if Tsang knew the true meaning of that phrase, then would he step outside the building, and meet the protesters who are against the express rail link to Guangzhou. 'That saying comes from the mouth of Jesus,' Tsang replied. 'He said it several times ... Not only should you love anyone, but also your enemies ... It's necessary to love anyone you can.' Leung replied: 'Are you saying that those outside are your enemies?' The league offered no official explanation for the approach yesterday. However, Wong was seen deep in conversation with Civic Party leader Audrey Eu Yuet-mee before the meeting began, with Wong having to reassure her that he would not cause any trouble. Indeed, while league supporters might condone their representatives' actions, Civic Party supporters may not. The referendum alliance has already begun to affect the political order.
