Opinion | Carrie Lam must brace for another U-turn
- Failure to win support for cross-harbour tunnel toll adjustments brought the government its second setback in a matter of days, and it has only itself to blame
U-turns are not uncommon in politics. But for a government that prides itself as competent and daring, a second about-face in five days seems too much to swallow. Alas, this is the sad political reality facing Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor when wrestling with an election-driven legislature.
Even though it is worth trying out a package of tunnel toll adjustments to help ease the worsening cross-harbour traffic congestion, the red light from major pro-government parties means officials have no choice but to put on the brake for the time being.
It is most unfortunate that the motion came after an unexpected tussle with pro-government allies over adjustments to welfare for the elderly. But even without the setback, the tunnel rationalisation bid would have been a hard sell.
The vote was scheduled just days after the opening of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass, a transport link which the government says will complement the move to spread uneven tunnel traffic.
Officials must have known that chaos and congestion at the bypass, which they said was within expectation, would only dampen support. Likewise, resistance to unpopular toll rises in the run-up to the district council polls in November was also foreseeable.
