Newpub

Election Manifesto

Some 40 candidates will be carrying the flag of the Civic Party for the next District Council election, to be held on November 18th.

“It’s our community, now have your say!” This is the main theme of our election campaign. This is what we believe in – to promote social participation of district affairs, so as to nurture democracy in our community.

We envisage the District Council as a platform, a training ground for those people who would like to pursue a career in politics and, most of all, a springboard for democratization of Hong Kong.

More should speak up on the planning of community if we are going to adopt a more sustainable way of developing our city.

All DC candidates fielded by the Civic Party are committing themselves to the following:

1. To fight for universal suffrage by 2012 and abolition of all DC appointed seats;
2. To advocate reform in DC so that “district affairs are administered by the district” and people can actually have their say; and
3. To promote sustainable development and make our neighbourhood a more amiable place for living.

We strongly believe that district development is for long term. Winning or losing, the Civic Party will continue to serve the community. With democracy as our goal, professionalism our ammunition, we hope together we will be able to reap the benefits of civic participation.

DC Election Agenda of the Civic Party

1. Democracy

• We shall fight for universal suffrage by 2012, so that every one of us have a right to vote at the next CE election. The nominating committee shall not have any right to “screen” nor take out qualified candidates.
• The nomination threshold for the Chief Executive election should be lowered to 50 subscribers among the Election Committee, in order to promote an open and competitive election.
• Functional constituencies of the Legislative Council should be abolished in one go, rather than phased out by stages.
• All appointed seats in the District Council should be abolished at once.
• Political participation should be fostered across the community.

2. Administration by district

• Foster political participation among the community, so that “district affairs are administered by the district”. The role of DC in local governance should be strengthened.
• The DC should be empowered and equipped with ample resources to better conduct its duties.
• The DC secretariat should be made independent of civil service and responsible to the DCs.

3. Sustainable community for all

• Introduce reform at the Town Planning Board, so that members of the general public may take part in matters such as zoning, density, plot ratio and function of the planning.
• Introduce reform at the Antiquities Advisory Board to facilitate conservation of heritage.
• Enliven community in poverty with urban renewal projects.
• Revamp the strategy of the Urban Renewal Authority, so that projects are tailored to meet the needs of residents rather than simply as another project of property development.
• Urge for long-term planning of rural areas so as to protect the environment and our cultural heritage.