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Patsy Moy

Thirty radical members left the Democratic Party yesterday, accusing their leaders of betraying the  people and slowing the pace  towards universal suffrage.
The split means the  loss of about 4 per cent of party members, including seven district councillors.  However, party elders did not lament the departure of the so-called Young Turks.
Independent observers said far from being a blow to the party, the move might actually help unify the remaining Democrats.  
The mass resignation puts an end to a power struggle between mainstream leaders and party reformists that predated the party's support for the government's political reform package in the summer.  
'I  never thought [the party]  would betray its election promises of fighting for 2012 universal suffrage  by voting for a flawed proposal,' said Chan King-ming,  a former vice-chairman  who said it had been painful to watch the Democrats compromising over constitutional reforms. 'But we  will not comment further on the Democrats' internal affairs nor persuade its  members to quit.' 
The political fallout is expected to be mild. The rebels  plan to run in next year's  district council elections under the  NeoDemocrats but said they would not compete against the Democrats in the polls.
The NeoDemocrats is an activist group formed in October to oppose  the party's support for the government's electoral reforms.
In June, the Democrats  provided eight crucial votes the administration  needed to get the political reform package passed in the  Legislative Council, after securing Beijing's support for their so-called one person, two votes proposal. Under the package,  Legco will expand  by 10  seats, bringing the total to 70.  Five will be from direct elections and five from the district council functional constituency, to be elected  by 3.2 million voters who do not have a say in  functional constituencies.
Chinese University political scientist Ma Ngok  said the mass exodus was a direct result of the action of long-time democrat Andrew Cheng Kar-foo,  who quit  the party immediately after the reforms passed.  
'The departing Democrats serve mostly in New Territories East, within the power base of Cheng,' Ma  said. 'Yet, in the short run, there would be no substantial opposition force within the party. The Democrats would be more united.'
Party chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan said  the departure of the 30 members would not undermine the party's strength in the  district council elections.
He said the party had  prepared for their departure after realising profound differences existed more than two years ago, and  had been nurturing new talent to replace them.
'The party has already arranged for  vice-chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing  and core member Wong Sing-chi  to set up a new office in New Territories East, to strengthen the party's link with voters in the district,' he said at the party's election of new leaders yesterday. 
He  acknowledged that the NeoDemocrats could become a  competitor in the district council elections, but hoped the contest would be carried out in a decent manner.
'The split was natural for any political party. Instead of repeatedly attacking the party with negative comments, it may be even more positive if they can set up a new group to continue on their [own] path.'
Ho was re-elected chairman in the  election, as were Lau and Sin Chung-kai as vice-chairmen.
Different course
The rebels say the party has strayed from its election promises
The 30 Democrats who resigned yesterday made up this proportion  of the party membership: 4%



A more united Democratic Party predicted as Young Turks leave