Legislative Council by-election results: Architectural, Surveying, Planning and Landscape

     The results of the 2018 Legislative Council by-election are:

Functional constituency: Architectural, Surveying, Planning
and Landscape
——————————————————————

No.  Candidates                                                 No. of votes obtained
—- ————                                                 ————————
G1   Tse Wai-chuen Tony*                                 2,929

G2   Zimmerman Paulus Johannes                      2,345
       (Paul Zimmerman)

* elected



Legislative Council by-election results: New Territories East

     The results of the 2018 Legislative Council by-election are:

Geographical constituency: New Territories East
—————————————————–

                                                                   No. of votes
No.  Candidates                                             obtained
—- ————                                              ————–
1    Wong Sing-chi                                            6,182

2    Fong Kwok-shan Christine                         64,905

3    Chan Yuk-ngor Estella (Jenny)                     1,504

4    Tang Ka-piu                                             152,904

5    Chiu Pui-yuk Joyce                                       3,068

6    Fan Gary Kwok-wai*                                183,762

* elected



Statement by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on the occasion of the death of Cardinal Karl Lehmann

The news of Cardinal Karl Lehmann’s death has touched me deeply. He was a real friend, both to me and to Europe. Throughout his life Cardinal Lehmann built bridges of humanity and solidarity in and for Europe. In doing so, he helped to bring East and West together, not only in Germany, but also in the dialogue with Poland. 

Cardinal Lehmann always invested in Europe’s future. He acted as a moral compass, showing us the way and reminding us of the values that make Europe special. Solidarity and loving one’s neighbour were always more to him than theoretical concepts; they were instructions on which to act. This is why, in response to the refugee issue, among other things, he would call on us all to remember the European strength of working together and to act with humanity. His words, often to the point but always in a spirit of reconciliation, will remain for us an inspiration and an instruction to stand up for Europe and its values. 

My thoughts are with him and all those who were close to him.



Legislative Council by-election provisional voter turnout

     A total of about 904 000 registered geographical constituency electors cast their votes in the 2018 Legislative Council by-election from 7.30am yesterday (March 11) to close of poll, representing a provisional cumulative turnout rate of about 43%.

     About 5 300 registered electors of the Architectural, Surveying, Planning and Landscape functional constituency cast their votes in the by-election, representing a provisional cumulative turnout rate of about 70%.

     The voter turnout figures are for temporary reference only.



How about some new subjects for media interviews about Brexit ?

The mainstream media seems to have got lost in repeats on their news and comment shows. Every day is Groundhog day. They do the Irish border story, the various alleged barriers to trade stories, and various sectors at possible risk stories. Most of it fans baseless fears or perpetuates misunderstandings of what the current position is and how WTO works. It usually assumes both that the EU will be out to damage their trade with us, and that they will have the power to do so even though we are no longer under their jurisdiction!

If they wish to do a Brexit story every day when there is precious little news in these very slow moving negotiations. I have some thoughts on some new topics that many of us would be interested in. They could also provide a bit of balance.

Let’s ask the various parties how they would like to spend the Brexit bonus, the £12bn we will save when we are finally out. And let’s have some discussion on whether we should pay the EU additional money after 29 March 2019, and if so why and for how long.

Let’s look at our options for designing a much better fishing policy for the UK once after March 2019 we have taken back control of our waters and fish stocks. How much more fish could we land in the UK and sell at home or for export, whilst doing a better job than the CFP has done on conserving stocks, owing to discards.

Let’s get on with debating a modern UK farming policy, with an emphasis on how much more food we can grow for ourselves as we used to before entering the CAP.

Let’s discuss which are the best prospects for new trade deals around the world, and will the government ensure we can sign these quickly once out of the EU?

The government is rarely asked about its leaving preparations, and the Opposition rarely asked about what it wants the country to do with its new freedoms once out.