Neo Democrats
Encyclopedia
The Neo Democrats are a pro-democracy
political grouping in Hong Kong
, composed mainly of former and disenchanted members of the Democratic Party
.
Members are considered as the Young Turks faction and reformists in the Democratic Party, and mostly from the New Territories East constituency
. They support a more radically pro-democratic position than that of the Democratic Party.
The group describes itself as a 'social movement' and 'not a political party'. However it expects to field candidates in upcoming district council elections
, when it will cooperate with other parties in the democratic camp to avoid having more than one pan-democrat in each contest, though it says it will not be part of a Democratic Party slate in the 2012 Legco elections
.
that the party was offering in the run-up to the Legco vote on the Hong Kong government's proposals for democratic reform. It said it aimed to repair the damaged relationship between the Democratic Party and its pan-democratic allies.
Then on 20 December 2010, thirty members including seven district councilors in the New Territories East
resigned from the Democratic Party to formally create the new group. The departees included former party vice chairman Chan King-ming and at least five other founding members, together representing around ten percent of the DP's district councilors and just under five percent of its membership.
Some Neo Democrats are still Democratic Party members.
, Leung Li and Cheung Kwok-keung, former DP vice chairman Chan King-ming,
The Neo Democrats' leadership comprises four 'convenors', who take individual charge for rotating six-month terms. Convenors currently include Gary Fan.
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
political grouping in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, composed mainly of former and disenchanted members of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Hong Kong)
The Democratic Party is a pro-democracy political party in Hong Kong. It was established on 2 October 1994. The party is currently the second largest party in the Legislative Council, headed by Chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan and, following the November 2008 merger with the Frontier, had around 745...
.
Members are considered as the Young Turks faction and reformists in the Democratic Party, and mostly from the New Territories East constituency
New Territories East (constituency)
New Territories East , refers to the eastern part of New Territories in Hong Kong. It includes Sha Tin District, Tai Po District, North District and Sai Kung District. It is the second largest geographical constituency in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong...
. They support a more radically pro-democratic position than that of the Democratic Party.
The group describes itself as a 'social movement' and 'not a political party'. However it expects to field candidates in upcoming district council elections
Hong Kong District Council election
District Council elections are held in Hong Kong at 4-year intervals when the 18 district councils, totalling 412 elected members require renewal. The last election was on 18 November 2007 and the next will be on 6 November 2011...
, when it will cooperate with other parties in the democratic camp to avoid having more than one pan-democrat in each contest, though it says it will not be part of a Democratic Party slate in the 2012 Legco elections
Hong Kong legislative election, 2012
The 2012 Hong Kong legislative election will be held in 2012 for the 5th Legislative Council since the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. There will be 70 seats in the fifth Council, ten more than previously, with 35 Members elected by geographical constituencies through...
.
Formation
The Neo Democrats identified themselves initially as a grouping within the Democratic Party, opposed to its rejection of the Five Constituencies Referendum and concessions towards BeijingGovernment of the People's Republic of China
All power within the government of the People's Republic of China is divided among three bodies: the People's Republic of China, State Council, and the People's Liberation Army . This article is concerned with the formal structure of the state, its departments and their responsibilities...
that the party was offering in the run-up to the Legco vote on the Hong Kong government's proposals for democratic reform. It said it aimed to repair the damaged relationship between the Democratic Party and its pan-democratic allies.
Then on 20 December 2010, thirty members including seven district councilors in the New Territories East
New Territories East (constituency)
New Territories East , refers to the eastern part of New Territories in Hong Kong. It includes Sha Tin District, Tai Po District, North District and Sai Kung District. It is the second largest geographical constituency in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong...
resigned from the Democratic Party to formally create the new group. The departees included former party vice chairman Chan King-ming and at least five other founding members, together representing around ten percent of the DP's district councilors and just under five percent of its membership.
Some Neo Democrats are still Democratic Party members.
Organisation and membership
Members of the grouping include Sai Kung district councillors Gary FanGary Fan
Gary Fan Kwok Wai is a full-time member of Sai Kung District Council in Hong Kong. He is a member of the Neo Democrats political grouping and one of its four convenors...
, Leung Li and Cheung Kwok-keung, former DP vice chairman Chan King-ming,
The Neo Democrats' leadership comprises four 'convenors', who take individual charge for rotating six-month terms. Convenors currently include Gary Fan.