My Take | Carrie Lam is bad, but alternatives are worse
- By showing she is incapable of restoring order, the city’s chief executive has failed the one crucial test of leadership; however, she is still the most qualified for the job
The problem is, who would replace her without making things even worse? Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung! Under local law, he would automatically step in as the interim head of the city, just like Donald Tsang Yam-kuen did when Tung Chee-hwa quit in 2005. Tsang was at least more competent than Tung. No one would say the same about Cheung with respect to Lam.
A competent leader in her shoes may have upset one of two opposing camps, but at least placated the other camp. In the event, she has lost the confidence, if not yet the support, of the pro-government bloc. But that’s only because they are under orders from Beijing to back her still.
No one believes in her any more, especially those who might want a return to normality and stability.