One election over and now we have another one. This time for the Legislative council (LEGCO). There are 8 people standing for one seat. TV showed a “Forum” where all the candidates could put their case and ask each other questions. Coming from a country where party political broadcasts come at 9 or 10 pm, this was very sensibly shown at past midnight.

There are two consummate “Professional” politicians in the race and 6 not so well know or well equipped also rans.

The latest opinion polls show one on 30+%, one on 22% and the rest at less than 1%, with two on 0%. This is unfortunate as one of those under 1% is also known as “The Female Longhair”. Longhair himself is one of those maverick campaigners that are loved in Hong Kong. Nice guy who has shaken hands with Apple-FM and really upsets the leadership by pointing out Beijing interference with Hong Kong.  Anyone who makes “Trouble” like this is to be welcomed. So two of them upsetting things in Legco would be welcome. Where is the guy in the white suit when you need him?

Another of those standing is also disadvantaged by having a rhetorical style of just shouting at everyone, and in Mandarin. This is a big disadvantage as most people here speak Cantonese and not everyone speaks mandarin. Only speaking mandarin marks you out as not a local. After all Cantonese is the real Chinese language and mandarin is just the dialect of Beijing. But the shouting bit is ok though, and makes him slightly local, as most Cantonese people try and make more noise than anyone else. Talking loudly is everyone’s duty.

The TV Forum was interesting as it was staged by all the TV outlets in Hong Kong. TVB, ATV, Cable TV and NOW. But a couple of the candidates provided a sign language translator as the event was live and could not be subtitled. The TV Director, though, managed to exclude the sign language from 90% of the shots. This just goes back to how Hong Kong is not very handicap friendly, but that is another story.

Voting is on Sunday, 07:30 – 22:30. This is Mrs Apple-FM’s birthday so she may not make it onto TV again, but will TVB cover the closing of the ballot live from Kennedy Town again?

Will Digital Audio Broadcasting win again?