The Liberal Party has finally come out against the government's HK$6 billion bid to host the 2023 Asian Games, dooming the plan to failure.
At least 37 legislators - including those from the three major political parties: the Democratic Party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong and the Civic Party - had already said they would vote against the government's motion for funding scheduled for Friday.
The latest development means all three legislators from the Liberal Party will join them. So far, only 14 lawmakers have openly pledged support for the bid.
Unless something drastic changes, the government's proposal faces certain defeat.
Liberal Party chairwoman Miriam Lau Kin-yee said yesterday the party's decision was based on the government's failure to give convincing answers about the games' impact on the city's long-term economic benefits and planning for sports development.
She said the government had also failed to ensure that infrastructure built for the events would not turn out to be 'white elephants'.
