Advertisement
Letters | Why UK stance on Hong Kong democracy is a case of double standards
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
2
Lord Shinkwin of Britain, writing on behalf of an All-Party Parliamentary Group in the United Kingdom which benefits from funding by Stand With Hong Kong, suggests in his letter that “fundamental freedoms” (including, no doubt, press freedom) are dead in Hong Kong. Yet he sees no irony or inconsistency in its being published in the Hong Kong press (“Why Britain will continue to speak up for Hong Kong”, December 12). Odd, really, if press freedom no longer exists here.
As an unelected member of “the mother of parliamentary democracy”, Lord Shinkwin feels qualified to share his wisdom on elections and democracy with the inhabitants of a former colony, on which democracy was never bestowed during British times. Still, better late than never, my lord.
A.H. Smith, Mid-Levels
Advertisement
What about the rights of Hong Kong protest victims?
Lord Shinkwin, one assumes, enjoys the ermine and red leather couches of the House of Lords from where he pontificates: “We will not belittle your suffering. We will not forget you.”
Advertisement
Perhaps his lordship would like to opine why, during the 150-plus years when Hong Kong was a British colony, it was never a democracy.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x