Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s policy address focused on a series of long-term policies as solutions to Hong Kong’s land shortage and to boost employment in the hope of rebuilding social confidence. Yet, other key areas that have been the focus of heated debate, including youth development, industry advancement, health care and education, were not exhaustively responded to and acted upon in the address. Only about 40 per cent of those surveyed by the Hong Kong Research Association approved of this year’s policy address, while 30 per cent were even dissatisfied with this annual showcase of the government’s blueprint for the city’s development. However, the response of the lawmakers, it is mainly the pro-establishment camp that now remains in the Legislative Council , did not reflect the views of the general public. Praise like “7 million citizens support the government”, the policy address focused on “fixing the crux of social disputes” and “showed the city’s prospects” – implied it was nothing short of perfection. Other epithets hailed the address as “comprehensive” and “visionary” and Lam as “superwoman”. This only tragically adds weight to the public criticism that a Legco dominated by the pro-establishment camp is simply a rubber stamp, especially at this critical time when only the provision of innovative policy advice and assertive questioning would enable the government to make progress. The remaining legislators should discharge their responsibility not only to the government, which they support, but also to the general public, who elected them, by taking on effective advice and ideas from the city’s youth. In the past, members of the public were allowed to observe Legco meetings from public galleries, but there was no channel for youngsters to voice out their thoughts. Legislators should be down-to-earth, connect with think tanks and colleges, and invite the youth to communicate with them so as to effectively reflect young people’s opinions and form concrete proposals to better the current system. These cross-generation interactions could help rebuild youngsters’ confidence in the future. Pro-government camp must prove its worth with Lantau scrutiny Our society needs an urgent reset. Although teenagers may have lost confidence in Legco, the remaining legislators, even though they are mostly from the pro-government camp, do not stand only for their own extreme end of the political spectrum. They represent the whole city. By taking the initiative to collaborate with the community to help mend the rift, the remaining legislators could show the public how effective communication can help facilitate social change. Ho Tsz Ying, student, bachelor of laws, University of Hong Kong; He Tsz Yuk, student, bachelor of social science, the Chinese University of Hong Kong