The Anson Enigma - 9 Dec, 2005 Anson Chan marching …
A lot of guessingDear Subscribers & Friends
People continue to talk about why Anson Chan marched for democracy on 4/12/05. If Chan has ambitions, she may wish to start a new party that embodies the civil service values as she knows them.
A. Anson speaks pre-march
1. Her view: “The voice from the community is very clear. They want to achieve universal suffrage as soon as possible”.
2. Numbers matter: “The more people who march, the more likely the government is to listen and we will have full democracy sooner”.
3. 2007-2008: “… it [universal suffrage] is not going to happen …”.
4. Timetable: ” … we would like the government to give a clear indication of the target and proposals in order to prepare the community for universal suffrage”.
B. Anson marches 4/12
1. Why march?: “I have no hidden agenda … there are moments in one’s life when you have to stand up and be counted”; it was a “critical time”; and ” … if I didn’t march this time, it could be even slower and be dragged on even longer”.
2. Tsang’s proposals: ” … too little, too slow …”.
3. Leading the democrats?: “Lets take one step at a time”.
4. How was it?: “I will remember for the rest of my life the experience of marching for the first time”.
C. Gossip and sour grapes …
1. Political comeback?: The media quoted un-named government sources saying Chan was making a political comeback to campaign for chief executive in 2007.
2. Lead the democrats?: Some say since the democratic camp lacks a charismatic leader, Chan would fit the bill.
3. Democrats’ sour grapes?: (1) ” … when she was chief secretary, I don’t think she did anything to push for democracy”; (2) ” … there had been hopes Beijing might make concessions … but it has suddenly hardened its stance and I guess its more or less related to Mrs Chan joining the march”.
D. Pure speculations
1. Run for CE?: Under the current system, a candidate needs 100 nominations out of 800. Under the proposed system, a candidate will need 200 nominations out of 1,600. Without Beijing’s blessing, it will be hard for anyone to get enough nominations. Chan knows this.
2. Power play: If Chan has ambitions, she may wish to start a new party that embodies the values of the bureacracy i.e. civil servant-types, her natural leanings. She does not have to run for CE in 2007 - someone else can with Chan being the power behind the throne.
3. Possibilities: A new party perceived to have strong leadership can change the political dynamics.
CHRISTINE LOH
Civic Exchange - HK’s independent think tank
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