The unprecedented move has fuelled conspiracy theories, ranging from Lam being summoned to meet Xi, to her speech having been rejected by Beijing. Others say she is putting the country ahead of Hong Kong. In any case, it does not reflect well on her leadership. She said her proposals, which involve cooperation with mainland authorities, received a positive response over the weekend for further discussion. She therefore decided to wait for more concrete results in the hope they would instil greater confidence. Lam was just being frank, but it means her address in its present form lacks substance. It would have been a failure if she had proceeded to unveil her proposals in the Legislative Council, and they may have even deepened the gloom hanging over the city.