Time for mudfest by-election where the two Hong Kong camps reveal their true colours
Opposition always insists Hongkongers want true democracy free of any Beijing meddling, while loyalists claim most residents prefer political harmony
There are the loyalists, mocked as Beijing’s lapdogs by the opposition. There are the so-called pan-democrats, derided by the loyalists as traitorous running dogs of the West. Never have the two sides dared fight an election using their definition of the other side as a rallying cry. They have always hid from their true colours in a great pretence to focus on livelihood issues instead.
But they cannot run from their inner beliefs forever. Voters deserve to know where the real loyalties lie of the people they vote for. The opposition has always insisted Hongkongers want so-called true democracy free of any meddling by Beijing. The loyalists have always claimed most Hongkongers are patriots who prefer political harmony to the endless confrontations instigated by the opposition.
Loyalists claim traitorous opposition leaders instigated Occupy with the help of foreign forces to destabilise the motherland. So why haven’t they dared name and shame opposition candidates in past elections as running dogs? Why don’t they ever wear their loyalist badge on their lapels during election debates?
Do Hongkongers want filibustering, the hurling of missiles, riots, self-determination and mistrust of the central government? Do they want harmony, closer ties with the motherland and whatever democracy Beijing will allow? We need a mudfest election to find out.