The threat of a mass resignation by lawmakers from the League of Social Democrats and the Civic Party is now put on hold pending the outcome of the Democratic Party EGM. This was not the result of any democratic resolution, but that of one man's word, just like the previous decision to go ahead. Such sheepish behaviour coming from the self-claimed democrats goes to show how their brand of democracy works.

It is no secret who Martin Lee listens to, and Szeto Wah in revealing the secret meeting that commandeers the dissidents also mentioned the intervention of "international elements". The secret plot is now in the open that it no longer even qualifies as a conspiracy. As citizens, we have to be extra careful where the dissidents will lead us.

Unfortunately since we have delegated our power through the voting system to our lawmakers and as stipulated by the Basic Law and the resolution of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, the matter is now rested in their hands after the consultation. Only a one-third minority can veto the constitutional reform bill. The dissident legislators have vowed to gang up to do so as they did in 2005. The threat to resign en masse is only a prelude to the main show. Nevertheless, we common citizens still can influence the final outcome.

In a pluralistic society such as ours, we all have different thoughts about constitutional development. But that does not mean we cannot arrive at a compromise and move ahead if we determine to do so. The key word is therefore determination. Once moving forward has become our consensus, our common fate is still in our own hands, and this proves that despite all the bad words about the current political system, and in the current transitional stage of democratization, democracy is still alive and well in Hong Kong.

There are many ways to express ourselves apart from taking to the streets as the dissidents regularly do. Email addresses of all lawmakers are public information. Write to them and urge them to move ahead. Should they deviate from the direction we want them to go, write to them and show your displeasure. Speak up for yourself in all forms of consultation. Should some of our dissident lawmakers resign, tell them they have betrayed your vote, boycott them, and make sure they will not be re-elected ever. This is how democracy works, and now is the time to teach our politicians a lesson in democracy.

The author is a member of the Commission on Strategic Development

(HK Edition 12/03/2009 page1)