Soul-searching and public apology from Hong Kong opposition after decisive defeat in by-election to pro-establishment camp
- Second loss this year in by-election shatters pro-democracy bloc’s hopes of regaining veto power in legislature
- Defeated candidate Lee Cheuk-yan and 12 of his pan-democrat colleagues face media cameras and bow low in apology
Political newcomer Chan Hoi-yan, backed by the establishment, captured 106,457 votes, or 49.5 per cent of the total in the Kowloon West geographical constituency, which has traditionally been a stronghold of the opposition.
Her arch-rival, Labour Party stalwart Lee Cheuk-yan from the pan-democratic camp, secured 93,047 – or 43.3 per cent – while Frederick Fung Kin-kee, a former political ally who ran against him independently this time, managed 12,509 votes, or 5.8 per cent.
Their second defeat this year in a by-election shattered the pro-democracy bloc’s hopes of regaining veto power in the Legislative Council.
They are now outnumbered 18 to 16 by government supporters in Legco’s geographical constituencies – which is unprecedented – while their opponents have further cemented their dominance ahead of the 2020 general election.