【明報專訊】The Incident

A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that political parties in Hong Kong are all registered as companies under the Companies Ordinance (《公司條例》) or as societies under the Societies Ordinance (《社團條例》).

It has over the years been suggested that Hong Kong should have a political party law (政黨法). Political scientists have repeatedly pointed out that the government, though it operates under a so-called "executive-led" (行政主導) system, has had difficulty gaining lawmakers' support for its policies. Under the Chief Executive Election Ordinance (《行政長官選舉條例》), the CE may not belong to any political party.

Political scientists therefore think that a political party law, which would give political parties official status, could be the solution. It is not a new idea. In 2001 Michael Suen (孫明揚), who was then Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, said the government was "studying the feasibility and desirability of introducing a political party law" so as "to increase the transparency of political parties and facilitate their healthy development". But, Stephen Lam (林瑞麟), his successor, announced the following year the government considered it was not yet time to introduce a political party law.

Recently, in the heat of the debate about constitutional reform, some people in the know have disclosed that, when the government begins to consult the public about the 2017 Chief Executive election early next year, matters concerning a political party law will also be discussed.