Rejection of electoral reform package may be the lesser of two evils

The looming prospect of the government's electoral reform package being rejected by the legislature has prompted many to warn that such a result would be catastrophic for the city.

Some politicians - including Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing and Executive Council convenor Lam Woon-kwong - have warned that Hong Kong will become ungovernable under that outcome.

Legislative affairs will get permanently stuck with the opposition camp's constant filibustering. The community will be deeply divided over the pace of democracy, with rival camps constantly pointing accusing fingers at each other.

But some political observers and legislators have argued that such a scenario would actually be a shade better than if the package were to be passed after some pan-democrats switch sides and supported the government.

Ronny Tong Ka-wah, a Civic Party legislator, warned: "It would radicalise the pan-democrats and probably there could be another round of occupation protests."

Federation of Students secretary general Nathan Law Kwun-chung, one of the core leaders in last year's Occupy Central protests, warned his group could launch an "occupy the legislature" campaign should any pan-democrats break their promise and vote for the government package.

Veteran China watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu agreed a veto of the package could be the lesser of two evils for Hong Kong but that neither situation would make Beijing give any concessions.