League of Social Democrats
Encyclopedia
The League of Social Democrats or LSD is a radical pro-democratic political party
in Hong Kong
. Its declared purpose is to "take a clear-cut stand to defend the interests of the grassroots". Founding members include "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung
and former members of the Democratic Party
, such as Andrew To
and lawmaker Albert Chan
.
Since the participation in the Chief Executive Election of Alan Leong
, the League of Social Democrats has refused to cooperate with the Democratic Party
and the Civic Party
. In the Election Committee election [which year?], the League was criticized by media for refusing to name a candidate in protest at the "small-circle election".
In late December 2007, the Vice-chairman of the party, Lo Wing-lok
, resigned after a controversy over the lack of documentation on the lease of the party headquarters. According to Lo, the premises belonged to an alleged triad member who claimed to be a merchant.
In February 2010, the League of Social Democrats were accused of selling T-shirts on which a parody of the logo of the DAB was printed.
In April 2010, the Secretary-General of the LSD, Gavin Gwai, was attacked by two men in what appeared to be a pre-meditated and politically motivated assault. He suffered injuries to his eye.
The following November, in district council elections
, the party lost all four of its seats, including that of Andrew To for Wong Tai Sin
. Twenty-three other League candidates also failed to win. Two days later, Andrew To resigned as chairman, to take responsibility for the loss, but pledged not to alter the League's ideology for the sake of winning elections.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. Its declared purpose is to "take a clear-cut stand to defend the interests of the grassroots". Founding members include "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung
Leung Kwok-hung
Leung Kwok-hung , also known as Long Hair , is a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong , a founding member of the League of Social Democrats and a democratic political activist.-Biography:Leung is a self-proclaimed Trotskyist and a member of April Fifth Action, a radical socialist...
and former members of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Hong Kong)
The Democratic Party is a pro-democracy political party in Hong Kong. It was established on 2 October 1994. The party is currently the second largest party in the Legislative Council, headed by Chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan and, following the November 2008 merger with the Frontier, had around 745...
, such as Andrew To
Andrew To
Andrew To is a member of the Wong Tai Sin District Council, Hong Kong. He is the chairman of League of Social Democrats since February 2010, succeeding Wong Yuk-man...
and lawmaker Albert Chan
Albert Chan
The Honourable Albert Wai-yip Chan , born 3 March 1955 in Hong Kong) is a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong representing the New Territories West constituency, except for the periods 1997-2000 and Jan-May 2011. Chan is also a member of the Tsuen Wan District Council...
.
The party
The party was founded in 2006, as part of the fluid pan-democratic political arena. Its radical social democratic position has consistently been more extreme than, and often in opposition to, the mainstream democratic parties.Since the participation in the Chief Executive Election of Alan Leong
Alan Leong
Kah Kit Alan Leong , SC is a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, representing the Kowloon East geographical constituency and leader of the Civic Party. He is also vice-chairperson of the Independent Police Complaints Council.-Early career:...
, the League of Social Democrats has refused to cooperate with the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Hong Kong)
The Democratic Party is a pro-democracy political party in Hong Kong. It was established on 2 October 1994. The party is currently the second largest party in the Legislative Council, headed by Chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan and, following the November 2008 merger with the Frontier, had around 745...
and the Civic Party
Civic Party
Civic Party is a liberal democratic political party in Hong Kong.The Civic Party is currently the third largest political party in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, with five members securing seats in the 2008 Hong Kong Legislative Council elections...
. In the Election Committee election [which year?], the League was criticized by media for refusing to name a candidate in protest at the "small-circle election".
In late December 2007, the Vice-chairman of the party, Lo Wing-lok
Lo Wing-lok
Lo Wing-lok , JP, MD is a Hong Kong doctor and politician.Lo was graduated from St. Paul's College and Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong. He was the member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong through medical sector functional constituency from 1998 to 2004...
, resigned after a controversy over the lack of documentation on the lease of the party headquarters. According to Lo, the premises belonged to an alleged triad member who claimed to be a merchant.
In February 2010, the League of Social Democrats were accused of selling T-shirts on which a parody of the logo of the DAB was printed.
In April 2010, the Secretary-General of the LSD, Gavin Gwai, was attacked by two men in what appeared to be a pre-meditated and politically motivated assault. He suffered injuries to his eye.
Splits and damage
On 24 January 2011, Raymond Wong and Albert Chan quit the party, citing disagreement with leader Andrew To and his faction. About a hundred of their supporters joined them, leaving the LSD in disarray.Hong Kong district councils election, 2011
The 2011 Hong Kong District Councils election was held on 6 November 2011. Elections were held to all 18 districts of Hong Kong, returning 412 members from directly elected constituencies, each selecting a council member. Pro-Beijing camps won the most seats from this election.-Background:The...
, the party lost all four of its seats, including that of Andrew To for Wong Tai Sin
Wong Tai Sin
Wong Tai Sin is a Chinese deity popular in Hong Kong with the power of healing. His name literally translates to the "Great Immortal Wong". Wong Tai Sin is the divine form of the individual "Wong Cho Ping".-Legend:...
. Twenty-three other League candidates also failed to win. Two days later, Andrew To resigned as chairman, to take responsibility for the loss, but pledged not to alter the League's ideology for the sake of winning elections.
External links
- League of Social Democrats
- Lsd fans
- Membership of League of Social Democrats Registration Form
- http://www.worldjournal.com/wj-hk-news.php?nt_seq_id=1342061