Letters | Hong Kong electoral reform: why I support the return to ‘democratic elitism’

This is a system that worked well in colonial times – with everyone free to criticise the government but only outstanding individuals allowed to govern

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Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor receives her second vaccination dose at the government headquarters in Admiralty on March 22. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Published: 6:45am, 6 Apr 2021Updated: 6:45am, 6 Apr 2021

I wholeheartedly support the recent electoral overhaul in Hong Kong. In his column of April 1, Alex Lo disagrees with former chief executive Leung Chun-ying that the electoral system has become more democratic. Rather, Lo justifies the “top-down” move as a necessity in light of the social unrest in 2019.

Firstly, I wonder what he thinks of the British parliament then, with its lower chamber fused with the executive and upper chamber composed entirely of political appointees. If Britain can have its own style of democracy, why can’t Hong Kong?

Secondly, we need to approach politics pragmatically and seek truth from facts, not from ideologies. A good political machine does not operate in a vacuum, but for the betterment of people’s livelihoods.

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China’s top legislative body passes sweeping Hong Kong electoral reforms

Over the years, Beijing has gone to great lengths to enlarge the role of mass elections in the Legislative Council. Sadly, this left us with a highly dysfunctional legislature, dominated by radicals and buffoons.

So, I am delighted to see the return of “democratic elitism”, which was effectively practised in colonial times. While everyone is free to criticise the government, only outstanding individuals from a cross-section of society can take part in governance. Mainland scholar Tian Feilong is absolutely right, albeit rude, in saying that the city needs no “loyal trash”.

Critics often decry consultative democracy as dictatorship in disguise, unfettered by any checks and balances. In my view, it helps facilitate a healthy and progressive political establishment, on which socio-economic development depends.

A one-man-one-vote political system is like providing free lunches, with self-serving politicians playing to the crowd to garner votes.