Opinion | Hong Kong’s political parties are embracing change for the better
With fiercer contests, fresh faces and more community building on the ground, parties have found a way to navigate the new landscape
With many new candidates and political groups vying for seats, the contest for the directly elected geographical constituencies was highly competitive. Some candidates were fielded by groups with strongholds in the trade-based functional constituencies, which are indirectly elected.
That is something we should welcome. Establishing ties directly in the community will help our political groups be more in touch; it can help steer the groups’ mindsets, address their blind spots and bridge the gap between policymakers and the masses. As long as these groups continue to work on community building on the ground and put themselves forward to be chosen in the geographical constituencies, the people and the city win.
Large parties must adapt and become more diverse. The DAB has done that. All the candidates it fielded for the Election Committee constituency won – for other parties, there are lessons: the DAB remains the leader in electioneering work.
Hongkongers cast ballots in city’s legislative election