Stop the violence: don’t give Carrie Lam an excuse to take away our election rights

We know the saying: no expectations, no disappointments. Not many felt disappointed by Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s “midterm” policy address, which, of course, ended up being a pre-recorded video. So, on top of no expectations, and hence no disappointments, there were no surprises.

Even the colour of the policy address cover was kept the same “sky blue”. It was, however, insulting – to both the office Lam holds and to ordinary Hongkongers – that she “defended” the colour choice, explaining she chose sky blue because she still hopes for clear blue skies after the rain.

And that hazardous smog will not dissipate because close to nothing has been done. The policy address offered no political solutions to what is a political crisis. Lam’s mistakes and governing style funnelled all of the angst, frustrations and hopelessness that were years in the making through one singular explosive outlet, amplified by politics and fed by mistrust.

Lam offered nothing in her blueprint to take care of those political issues. By refusing to address systemic flaws in the political system and denying people the opportunity to start discussions on political reform, she has given revolution and independence (never a mainstream political cause) a ready audience. She has feasted on the desperation of people.