Our legislators should preserve their stamina for the substance of the job, not fighting off yawns. Lam’s manner and bearing also pointed toward a more cooperative approach than the guerilla warfare of recent years.

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Most important, the overall spirit of the speech was optimism and determination to act in all the aspects of concern to Hong Kong citizens. Yes, we face problems and challenges, but we have the resources to address them and a new-found willingness to draw on our copious fiscal reserves to do so.

The section on governance pointed to an enhanced role for the government in social and economic development, matched by the provision of additional staff. It was refreshing to note the implied admission that more duties and demand for services requires more workers. No more pretending that an overstretched civil service can find unlimited efficiencies. The section also included a specific commitment to finally extend key sections of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance to the post of chief executive, a recommendation put forward many years ago but left to gather dust.

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The economy section was full of ideas and initiatives, with money set aside where necessary to implement them. I do not agree with the details of some proposals, but I very much endorse the idea that we cannot squirrel away fiscal reserves while waiting for the market to fix everything by itself. The government needs to be more proactive, more of a facilitator and promoter and less of a passive observer stepping in when things go wrong.

With incidence of diabetes rising, and an increasing problem of child obesity, it was scandalous to suggest scrapping a facility schools on Hong Kong Island use extensively. Linking future expansion to comprehensive redevelopment of the area including, one hopes, a thorough traffic assessment, will take much longer but is surely more sensible.

The education section touched the right buttons. The proposed doubling of places for children with special needs was welcome.

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A speech of this calibre should go some way toward creating such an atmosphere. On reflection, a definite B-plus.

Mike Rowse is the CEO of Treloar Enterprises. [email protected]