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I have put forward detailed policies for establishing a sound economy and improving the quality of life and sense of security of ordinary Hong Kong people. These policies are unlikely to be implemented while we have a system of government which is not based on election by universal suffrage. Indeed, democracy is urgently needed to solve existing problems of governance created by the present system. Opponents of democracy are right that democracy does not solve all problems, but democracy does provide the means for solving societyˇ¦s problems, and is based on trusting the people. The current government is dysfunctional because it does not trust the people, with the result that it does not enjoy the peopleˇ¦s trust.

I set out the government structure I propose below. I believe it is a structure that works. My proposals for implementation in 2012 are all within the existing Basic Law framework. My core proposals are intended for implementation in 2012 and are all within the existing Basic Law framework. Their implementation will give us a far more democratic system than we have today. A few proposals involve amending the Basic Law. These address longer term ideals after 2012.

My support for democracy is based on the principle of trusting the people.

 Part 1: Target for universal suffrage
 

My timetable is clear: universal suffrage must be achieved by 2012. I will do my utmost to convince the Central Authorities that this is workable and good for Hong Kong.

a.    Election of the Chief Executive

  2012
  • For 2012, the minimum requirement is that everyone should be given the vote to freely choose their Chief Executive from among qualified candidates without any preliminary screening by the nomination committee.
  • The Election Committee should be transformed into the nomination committee by
    (i)
    adding a significant number of members directly elected
    from the public;
    (ii)
    opening up competition by lowering the threshold of
    nominators to 50.
  Long-term
  • In principle, no nomination committee is needed for universal suffrage. I will seek an amendment of the Basic Law to this end in due course.
 
b.   Election of the Legislative Council
 
  2012
  • The unfair system of functional constituencies gives extra rights to a small section of the population and nurtures vested interests in an unhealthy fashion.
  • There is no fair or feasible method of selective piecemeal abolition of functional constituencies which will only add complications, and I propose their total abolition.
  • Professionals and the business sector can continue to contribute by standing for direct election, and can also make their voice heard through political parties and other consultative bodies.
 

 Part 2 ˇV Free and Fair Election
 
To provide for free and fair elections, I propose the following reforms:-
 
  2012
  • Introduce legislative reforms and policy initiatives to give proper recognition to political parties and to encourage their development;
  • Review the size of geographical constituencies and consider making them smaller so that relationship between voters and their elected representative is closer;
  • Consider balancing these geographical constituencies with representatives returned by community-wide constituencies by proportional representation based on group lists; this will give each elector two votes.
 
 Part 3 ˇV  Relationship between executive and legislature
 

Under the present system, the elected representatives have the right to knock down government proposals but no power to replace them with new ones or to effectively monitor the government. This is counterproductive. I propose in its place the following:

a.   Empowering the legislature
 
  2012
  • Legislators should be allowed to propose legislation and policies for government more freely. Where the approval of the Chief executive is required, it should be routinely given.
  • Good proposals should not be barred because they impact on public spending.
 
b.    Co-ordination and co-operation
 
  2012
  • The possibility of synchronizing the Chief Executive and LegCo elections should be considered.
  • Other ministers with specialist knowledge may be drawn from outside LegCo.
  • Ministers will be subject to a real accountability system under which they can be called to account by members of LegCo.
  • Ministers should not be drawn from the ranks of the civil service save in exceptional cases.
  • The ban on political party affiliation for the Chief Executive should be abolished as this restrains the development of the political system.
  Long Term
  • The Chief Executive should select and appoint most of his ministers from the elected representatives in LegCo. This would require the amendment of Article 79 of the Basic Law. Under the present system, the Chief Executive should appoint them to the Executive Council.
  • Ministers chosen by the Chief Executive should not require approval by the Central Government and the consent of the Central Government should be sought to amend the Basic Law in due course.
 

 Part 4 ˇV The Civil Service
 
  2012
  • I aim to strengthen the professionalism and neutrality of the civil service. There should be a firewall separating public servants from their political masters. Civil servants should not be suborned by politics.
  • In my administration the functions and responsibilities of civil servants should be clearly defined.
  • Civil servants are professionals subject to stringent internal discipline and not political sanction.
  • The civil service should be opened up to outside recruitment at senior levels to stimulate innovation and avoid insular culture.
  • Integrity and good performance will be preserved by competitive salaries but these will not be allowed to fall seriously out of line with the private sector.
 

 Part 5 ˇV District Councils
 
District Councils must become the hub of local government and a model for democratic local governance. I propose that:
 
  2012
  • District Councils be given real responsibility for the administration of local facilities and provided with adequate budgets for the purpose;
  • Non-elected officials may not serve on District Councils but only perform an advisory role;
  • All district Councillors must be directly elected;
  • District Councillors should be allowed to cooperate between districts to facilitate more logical policies across the whole of Hong Kong;
  • Cooperation with LegCo should be enhanced;
  • Local government decision-making should include greater public participation and consultation;
  • District Councils need to move away from a limited role in providing constituency services and towards a responsibility for strategic planning, management and scrutiny of public services in the district.
 

 Part 6 ˇV Advisory and Statutory Bodies
 
  2012
  • I will open up the system of appointment to advisory and statutory bodies. Specialist bodies will be empowered to find and appoint members on objective criteria without regard to any political views.
  • I will ensure the process of selection is fair and transparent and that the rotation system is strictly followed.
  • There shall be a code of practice for public consultation.
  • I would also like to see ˇ§Citizenˇ¦s Panelsˇ¨ established for public service provision to give feedback to officials and legislation.
  • Statutory bodies are needed to exercise oversight over the operation of government departments. They should be given the power required to do their job. Internal checks and balances should also be built into the system.
 

 Part 7 ˇV Reform Today
 

The proposals outlined here are achievable and will do little more than bring Hong Kong up to the standard of other world cities.

Why is the incumbent Chief Executive so reluctant to set a clear timetable for universal suffrage?

Does anyone seriously believe Hong Kong should have a world standard economy but backward political structure?

Are our people not to be trusted to elect their own government?

The time for endless debate is over. We need to act now, and I will
 

 

 

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Publishing Date: 15/01/2007
Number of Copy: 1
Name of Publisher: Memego Networks Limited
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