tim's experiment

Quite the most depressing feature of the exercise which masquerades as a Chief Executive election has been the growing chorus of complaints from electors that they do not know whom to vote for. This would perhaps be understandable if it was a complaint about the attractiveness of the three candidates. But it is not. The thing which is bothering a surprising number of electors is that they have not received a clear signal from Beijing, and consequently do not know who is the candidate favoured by our imperial masters.

This complaint reached a pathetic crescendo last week with two “electors” complaining on the front page of the usual newspaper that they had not had clear instructions. One of them apparently spoke for the Chinese Medicine group of voters, betraying a degree of sycophancy which perhaps explains why this group was chosen as the source of a surprising number of electors in the first place. The witch doctors are “which?” doctors, willing puppets who will complain if their strings are not pulled vigorously enough.

I can understand voters thinking that Beijing’s preferences are a relevant matter for consideration. After all we all understand that if the winner is Albert Ho then the whole “one country two systems” concept may come under a strain which it is unable to bear. Clearly it is useful if the successful candidate is somebody who is acceptable in Beijing, and will be trusted by our colonial masters not to do a Dalai Lama.

Having said that one would also expect that electors could take on board the idea that if Beijing does not have a clear preference between two of the candidates then this is an opportunity for voters to use their own skill and judgment in the public service. If Hong Kong is ever to make full use of its “high degree of autonomy” we must surely recognise that Beijing’s preferences in matters of this kind may be more sophisticated than a simple preference for one candidate under all circumstances.

Actually my understanding, for what it is worth, of Beijing’s position is that they would prefer Henry Tang but not if he has to be enthroned in the teeth of widespread public disapproval. I would have thought anyone who was bright enough to practice medicine of any kind ought to be able to get his head round that. Sorry boys, Beijing actually expects you to use your own brains and make your own choice. Stop whinging and get on with it.