The resignation plan by five democrat lawmakers was, with good reason, widely regarded as an ill-conceived political stunt when it was first proposed. That has all changed as a result of Beijing's warning that the scheme breaches the Basic Law. The ensuing row has the potential to turn into a constitutional crisis - and so it is time for all concerned to calm down and for the law to be allowed to prevail.
A statement issued by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office raised the stakes earlier this month. It described the planned resignation by legislators to trigger by-elections in a 'referendum' on universal suffrage as a blatant challenge to the Basic Law and the authority of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.
Since then, Beijing loyalists have - all too predictably - competed to find the best way in which to show their support for the central government's position.
There have been suggestions that the Hong Kong government should change election laws to prevent the polls from taking place. A court challenge to the democrats' plan has also been proposed. There have been calls for the president of the Legislative Council to refuse permission for the five lawmakers to resign. And, most worryingly of all, suggestions that Beijing might intervene if the by-elections are not stopped.
All of these actions would undermine the 'one country, two systems' concept and damage confidence in Hong Kong's rule of law.
The resignation plan, however it is described, is not a referendum and does not breach Legco's procedures, election laws or the Basic Law. Legislators are entitled to resign, whatever their motivation.
And when they do, by-elections must be held. Attempts to prevent those legislators from standing in the by-elections would seem to be a breach of their rights under the Basic Law. The elections, therefore, should be allowed to proceed.
