My Take | Bad call for political loyalty after phone grab by Hong Kong lawmaker
The way Democrats have turned on one of their own is extraordinary and, although they may be keeping their options open, who needs friends like these?
Everyone is calling for the head of Ted Hui Chi-fung. That the government and the pro-establishment bloc would take advantage of the opportunity to get rid of another opposition lawmaker is par for the course.
The Democrat is facing a police investigation for snatching a mobile phone from a government officer outside the Legislative Council because he was upset she was monitoring the comings and goings of lawmakers.
What is extraordinary about this incident is that the Democratic Party is so ready and willing to throw one of its own under the bus.
Some opposition figures such as Audrey Eu Yuet-mee of the Civic Party have made an attempt to defend Hui. But the Democrats are practically handing him a rope with which to hang himself.
First, they announced they would suspend Hui’s membership, subject to an internal disciplinary review. Then party chairman Wu Chi-wai said its members in Legco “would not vote” if a censure motion was put to a vote to unseat Hui.
Not to be outdone, former party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing said Hui was “unsuitable to be a lawmaker and stay in the party”.