DOZENS of long-serving Urban and Regional Councillors have chosen not to stand in the first full-scale municipal-level elections in March.
Many were elected or appointed in the late 1970s, while some became councillors as far back as the 1950s.
The most senior member on the Urban Council, Brook Bernacchi, 73, said he would not stand because the council was becoming increasingly politicised.
'The council, which I enjoyed very much for so many years, is very different now,' he said.
'It is much more politicised, and is going to be a place for political infighting.' He believes this will make the council less effective.
Mr Bernacchi, elected in 1952, has long been a colleague of 81-year-old Legislative Councillor Elsie Tu, who has chosen to compete with Democratic Party heavweight Szeto Wah for a municipal seat in Kwun Tong North.
Mr Bernacchi said another factor contributing to his decision was the lack of a universal franchise.
