01 opinion
Written by: Commentary Editor
2019-11-21 18:24
Last updated: 2019-11-21 18:27The anti-reforms have continued, and the district board elections to be held on Sunday (November 24) will become "the battleground for the military." The political controversy has made the district board elections fierce. For the first time in this year, there is a "no-white zone". There is competition in the district and everyone has the right to vote. But no matter where the candidates come from, the society must recognize that the district boards always belong to the community, mainly for the people's livelihood.
People's livelihood is the biggest "politics"
The role of District Councils is different from that of the Legislative Council. The candidates for District Councils should take community affairs first. In the district board elections, political issues cannot be the entire platform of the candidates. The District Council's agenda is about the living of the residents. Dealing with specific regional policies and social resource management is the "business" of the District Council. If it is used as a "political statement," it will certainly deviate from the purpose of the district board. "Hong Kong 01" has always opposed the use of the "two-dimensional" and "blue" dualistic thinking to distinguish Hong Kong society. If political wrestling is brought into the District Council, it will become a politically unstable place. It is even more unsatisfactory. Distort the role of the District Council.
Although the District Council as the front line to reach the public can certainly become the growth soil for politicians, if the politicians only regard the District Council as a political stepping stone to "jump the Legislative Council," it is the end of the cart. District Councils' responsibilities are not "big politics" such as enacting laws, approving public expenditures, and monitoring government administration. According to Chapter 547 of the Laws of Hong Kong, the work of the District Councils provides advice to the Government on various aspects of welfare, public facilities, district public works, community activities and services in the districts. The District Council has also been funded by the Government to improve the environment in the district and promote recreational, cultural and community activities in the district. From this we can see that the work of the District Councils is to serve the community and it is a clear fact.
Misunderstanding the role of district boards and district board members, moving the set of struggles of the Legislative Council to the district boards will only lead to failure. In 2003, Hong Kong was affected by the 23 Legislation of the Basic Law, the SARS epidemic and negative assets. Under the government's mishandling, the public grievances broke out in the "July 1 march". The pan-people in the district board elections won at the end of the year, and 80% of the candidates were elected. The system was only 30%. However, after four years, the Pan-People will be defeated and defeated. After that, it is no longer possible to get the sweetness in the district board elections. The former car can be seen, the social and political atmosphere may drive the voting mood for a while, but the voters' requirements for the Legislative Council and the District Council are very different. The District Council candidates cannot rely on the "five major demands" to confuse.
The district board as an advisory role has always had limited functions, and the past structure has always restricted the district to play. (data picture)
District Council power to be expanded
The District Council is based on the people's livelihood but has limited functions. It is not as good as the regional governance role played by the two Municipal Councils. Before 1999, the Urban Council and the Regional Council were responsible for the hygiene and recreational services of the Hong Kong and Kowloon and the New Territories respectively. The financial autonomy, part of the income comes from taxes, and various types of license fees and fees from rental facilities. However, after 1999, the Government considered that with the gradual maturity of the Legislative Council and District Council elections, the functions of the Urban Council have been gradually diluted. The two associations can replace the Urban Council to monitor the operation of the Government. However, the District Council's substantive powers cannot be compared with the Urban Council. There is not enough power to manage regional affairs, nor can it directly participate in the formulation and implementation of relevant laws.
The functions of the District Councils are not the same. They can only find a position between the "Leader Team Leader" and the "Street Babysitter". As far as bird flu outbreaks and even food safety incidents, such as Tuen Mun Aunt and Sheung Shui Benders, it shows that the District Councils are not well coordinated with different statutory government agencies. The public consultation at the community bus stop is also due to the small size of the district board constituency and the black humor of "several steps and one stop". The district board members can "successfully strive for" the bus stop to pass their respective constituencies and be able to write their political achievements. It will not hesitate to make the bus route that has been effective and fast become long and round.
District Councillors have limited space to play in community policy and are also prone to growing political controversy within the parliament. However, the conflict of anti-reforms has continued for nearly half a year, and the deeper structural contradictions in society have become more and more deepened. Of course, it includes the indulgence of people's livelihood. As the front line to reach out to the public, the District Council should be responsible for anybody's election and explore the way to resolve the current contradictions. After the election of a number of district board members, they need to be aware of the ability to improve their ability to discuss politics in the future, and to use the community life of the citizens as a starting point to reform social governance.
01 opinion
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