The deal is what counts, not endless debate

As the truism goes, a week is indeed a long time in politics. In the past week, the Hong Kong government has experienced a reversal of fortune that recalled the epic struggles of Labour prime minister Harold Wilson in 1960s Britain.

The government's proposals for constitutional reform had appeared to be teetering on the brink after Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen was crushed in a television debate on the issue by Civic Party leader Audrey Eu Yuet-mee.

Just then, hints came that Beijing was prepared to accept the suggestion from the Democratic Party to extend the voting on five additional district council seats to the city's 3.2 million eligible voters.

And with breathtaking speed, lawyers revised their views and said the suggestion was consistent with the Basic Law; mainland officials based in Hong Kong cancelled their public appearances; and pro-establishment politicians changed their tune to the drumbeat of an impending deal.

In the ensuing Legislative Council debate on the government motions to implement political reform in 2012, legislators who bleated about inadequate public consultation missed the point: ultimately, politics is not about interminable public consultation; it is about clinching deals. As another prominent British Labour politician of old, Clement Attlee, said: 'Democracy means government by discussion, but it is only effective if you can stop people talking.'

So, all parties involved in the negotiation process that culminated in the historic passage of the reform vote - the government, Beijing and its representatives in Hong Kong, the scores of go-betweens and, last but not least, the Democrats and other legislators who voted 'yes' - should be commended for their willingness to come to terms with the need to conclude deals.