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SCMP Reporter

THE Democratic Party and heavyweight member Lau Chin-shek last night moved to heal their rift over social policies.

The party's top body - the central executive committee - agreed to take a more flexible stand on the way Mr Lau votes in the Legislative Council.

Dr Yeung Sum, vice-chairman of the party, said Mr Lau would be allowed to deviate from the party line provided he applied to the party leadership in writing beforehand.

He said prior notice would lessen 'misunderstandings' with other party legislators.

The party could work out contingency plans to deal with the situation if it was informed beforehand, said Dr Yeung.

He said Mr Lau's position as chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions and a core member of the Democratic Party could sometimes put him in a difficult situation. The positions of the two organisations sometimes differed.

'It will be difficult for him, as the chairman, to abandon the confederation's stand and toe the party line,' said Dr Yeung.

'We also acknowledged that there will be differences between the groups over some social policies,' he said.

Mr Lau caught the party by surprise last week when he defied the line and voted against a freeze on government charges.

He was accused by some colleagues of acting irresponsibly.

Mr Lau also declined to toe the party line on Wednesday on a motion urging the Government to cut profit tax.

Both his party and the Liberal Party voted in favour of the motion.

The committee urged Mr Lau to attend regular meetings of party legislators so the party knows what position the confederation is taking.

 Mr Lau now only attends meetings of the confederation's legislators.

 He said yesterday that his allegiance was to the party and he had no plans to leave.

He admitted he had differences with party over some social policies, but the rift was not as wide as had been suggested.

'We share considerable common ground on many other issues such as the territory's democratic development and the attitude towards China,' said Mr Lau.

He said the differences could be lessened through greater dialogue and communication.



Party heals rift on votes