LIBERAL Party chairman Allen Lee Peng-fei yesterday launched a scathing attack on his political rivals, accusing them of promoting 'divisive populism in favour of fairness'.
He said the concept that the interests of business and the interests of the people were continually in conflict was false.
Democratic Party chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming, on the other hand, was at pains to shake off his colleagues' image of being 'free-lunchers'.
He said the rule of law, fair competition and a clean, open and accountable government - which the party was striving for - was as vital for businessmen as it was for the general public.
He stressed his colleagues were not advocates of welfare, although they believed the community ought to be more caring.
At a forum organised jointly by the General Chamber of Commerce and the South China Morning Post, Mr Allen Lee attempted to paint the Democratic Party as anti-business.
Without naming the Democrats, Mr Lee said some people had taken a 'charge business first' stance on environmental policy.
