Anthony Cheung

Opinion | Opposition’s departure from Hong Kong legislature signals the end of an era for democratic movement

Right or wrong, the pan-democrats’ decision to resign en masse will leave Legco without an opposition, and the system without functioning checks and balances

Even if they do not intend to give up on legislative politics altogether, the path back will be challenging. Many may well leave the scene entirely

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Anthony Cheung

Published: 9:15am, 17 Nov 2020Updated: 9:17am, 17 Nov 2020

In the 1960s, the Barisan Sosialis (Socialist Front), formed by the expelled left-wing members of the governing People’s Action Party (PAP), led by Lee Kuan Yew, was once a formidable political force in Singapore. But it made a major strategic mistake by not taking part in the 1968 general election, allowing the PAP to grab all the parliamentary seats.

Since then, the PAP has become the entrenched ruling party, winning every election. Barisan was unable to make a political comeback and finally dissolved into the Workers’ Party in 1988. That lesson has taught many politicians in the region that no matter what, never withdraw from the parliament or any election.

Last week in Hong Kong, following a decision by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee that prescribes the criteria for disqualifying a legislator on the grounds of advocating independence, refusing to acknowledge China’s sovereignty, seeking foreign intervention or endangering national security, the local government immediately removed from office four pan-democrat legislators. Their candidature in standing for election to the next legislature was earlier annulled by the returning officer.

The pan-democratic camp was in such an uproar that it decided to resign en masse from the legislature. After legislative elections due this year were postponed due to the pandemic, the NPC Standing Committee extended the term of the present legislature, allowing all incumbent legislators to continue serving for the rest of the term.

To disqualify the four legislators now is seen as “trapping” the pan-democrats, who had agonised over whether to serve out their extended term and were attacked by their radical comrades for eventually staying on. Their political ethos dictates that they have to show solidarity with the disqualified four, or face rejection by many of their supporters.

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After all opposition members resign, Hong Kong’s Legislative Council tries to resume session

Having chosen to resign in collective protest, the pan-democrats will have to think hard about whether they will withdraw from legislative politics entirely and, if not, how they are going to justify a comeback since they have declared today’s legislature powerless against Beijing’s hardline approach to reshaping Hong Kong’s political order.