24 May 2010
The Honourable Donald Tsang, GBM, JP,
Chief Executive of Hong Kong,
Government House,
Upper Albert Road,
Hong Kong.
Dear Chief Executive,
Invitation to the Hon. Audrey Eu to a Televised Debate
I applaud your courage to invite the Hon. Audrey Eu to a live, televised debate on the government』s constitutional reform package. However, I was amazed that you have decided to invite Miss Eu to participate in her capacity as leader of the Civic Party and spokesperson of the 「five district referendum」, after the government has so manifestly rejected the 「five district by-elections」 as a de facto referendum. I was also surprised that the government has chosen a representative from one of the many political parties or groupings in LegCo for a one-on-one debate, when the government has been stressing that it wishes to build consensus both within and outside LegCo.
As I see it, more than one party or grouping in LegCo should be invited to take part in the debate, so that a broad spectrum of views can be expressed. A one-on-one debate between yourself and one of the most vehement opponents to the government』s package would only accentuate the differences and highlight any ideological chasm within our society. As I see it, the present stalemate on constitutional reform is not a black-and-white issue involving the collision of two camps and should not be portrayed as such. The public would benefit from the expression of a broader, subtler, and more nuanced range of views.
For these reasons, I would like to offer myself as an additional participant in the live, televised constitutional debate. As probably the only member of LegCo who has studied the theory and practice of democracy at post-graduate level, I believe I can contribute to the debate from an academic point of view, and add reason and moderation to the exchange. I would be very grateful if you could consider my suggestion.
