Political hardline positions widen mistrust in rival camps

When opposing political leaders start to sound and lead like each other, it may be a sign they have lost sight of their real differences. When leaders look and act like their followers, they may have lost control of the strategic context. Last week’s actions on our streets and in Parliament, may have looked different, but in many ways, they were driven by the same impulses, logic and strategy.

Last week, I coincidentally received invitations to join NASA demonstrations and to address the Senate and National Assembly Select Committees on the Election Laws (Amendment) Bills. I appreciated both invitations and declined both. The right to peaceful assembly, demonstration and petition public authorities used to be the preserve of a handful of activists. Over 2016-2017 I marched for wildlife conservation, constitutional awareness, an end to the doctors strike and extrajudicial killings. We may not beat Hong Kong’s annual record of 11,000 demonstrations, but our use of Article 37 has expanded dramatically.