Andy Ng Siu-hong, former district councilor of Central and Western District, Hong Kong Island, emigrated to the UK three years ago, and successfully “returned to his old career” in Wokingham, near Reading in southeast England. In the recent local elections in early May, Mr. Ng, who represented the Liberal Democratic Party, was elected with 1,162 votes. He hopes that his success will encourage more people in Hong Kong to register as voters, participate in political parties, and act as candidates in elections.
The local elections were held on May 2. After being elected, Mr. Ng took office the next day. He joined his party in discussing future plans and then went into the chamber for its first briefing. When setting foot in the “local parliament” for the first time, he accepted an exclusive interview with The Epoch Times. He admitted that he was excited but felt loaded with so many things before entering the chamber.
Mr. Ng said that he hopes to use his newfound position to make British society, political circles, and the media aware that Hong Kong people share the same values in freedom, democracy, and human rights and help prevent the infiltration of the CCP in Hong Kong affairs. “Make sure they know the true demand of Hongkongers, which does not stop at just the BNO Visa.”
As a newcomer to British politics, Mr. Ng hopes to help more Hong Kong people integrate into the local community, in addition to promoting regional affairs with his party. He pointed out that even though the British central government has recently reduced funding support for Hongkonger organizations, he hopes that these organizations can still be maintained and flourish at the local level. Moreover, he hopes to communicate with different British politicians inside and outside parliament. For example, as the BNO visa policy is about to be reviewed, he will strive to fight for all the details relating to its continuation and progress.
Having received the mandate from the electorates, Mr. Ng said that he hopes to make more people aware in the local councils as well as the Liberal Democratic Party conference, of Hong Kong affairs, such as the 47 People case and the Article 23 legislation: “At least on the surface there is a consensus of different parties in the UK to not to rely too much on China, but (we need to see) how is it being implemented in real life” He also pointed out that the UK government is still negotiating business with the CCP, so he hopes to remind the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party, the third main party in the UK, to raise questions in parliament.
Talk of Real-Life Experience as ‘Qualifications’ to Sway Opposite Camp Support
Mr. Ng barely entered the local council as the second runner-up in the Maiden Erlegh & Whitegates constituency. However, he was only 15 votes short of the Conservative candidate Norman Jorgensen, who came first. Coupled with his status as a “new immigrant,” his result is not bad at all. He recalled that he had only been in the district for about three months to meet the electorates. “No doubt he needs to work that extra mile” to enhance his visibility and compete with other opponents who had been working in the area for many years.Mr. Ng’s constituency has more detached houses. This is unlike in Hong Kong, where he could set up street booths to canvass votes in places frequented by passers-by. During the “campaign trail,” he needed to travel a few times more distance than when doing the same in Hong Kong before. He had frequented the entire constituency more than once. “My feet are heavy at times, but my spirit remains high.” Mr. Ng recalled the memories of the canvassing in the past few months. In the process, “Every time I knocked on the door of Hong Kong people, it is just another morale booster.”
“Even when I came across some locals who did not support me because they were die-hard fans of my opponent, I would still tell them where I came from, or explain what my party is about. They all appreciated my efforts and sometimes said that they might rethink and look at my leaflets... This is exactly what canvassing is for. In addition to encouraging your supporters to come out and vote, you should also impress people who don’t support you. Some people might say that “voting is useless.” But after our explanation, they would say that they would vote or consider voting, then I would feel very happy.”
Grateful for Hongkongers’ Support, and Local People’s Acknowledgement of HK’s Values
When asked about the key to winning this time round, Mr. Ng started by saying, “Thank you very much for the support of Hong Kong people,” and the local people’s support for Hong Kong people. He recalled that during the canvassing period, “Whenever I met Hong Kong people, it seemed that I was not canvassing for their votes, but they were encouraging me.” Hong Kong people also spread the news about him online. On the day of the vote, the people of Hong Kong were also excited to see him. Some even roll down the car window or sound the horn to cheer him up.Mr. Ng believes that his advantage lies in the fact that Hong Kong voters will know that he has a better understanding of what the people of Hong Kong need. When talking to the local people, he just “tells my Hong Kong story.” Although we come from different cultures, we believe in the same values, and the other party will appreciate the work he has done in Hong Kong, too.
Earlier, when he was doing the door-to-door vote canvassing, he would often reveal his identity as a former Hong Kong district councilor and explain why he came to the UK. He would also tell them that he would work hard to serve the community and uphold freedom, democracy, and human rights. Recently, there has been much reporting in the British media about how China attempts to infiltrate various aspects of the UK. “They (voters) started to realize that I did not face the Communist Party halfway across the world but had real-life experience, within touching distance, of the CCP in Hong Kong.
They then understand that I have my own opinions and ideas, and at the same time, stick to the British ideals of human rights, democracy, freedom, not being interfered with by China, and making the right choice, also never give up these values for the sake of doing business.” In addition, he believes that his gain in support of the local people is also related to the willingness to speak out for others, which is a virtue of the British people. He is treated by them as possessing that same virtue, “because I am speaking out forcefully for the people of Hong Kong.”
He described it as a recognition of his “qualifications” by the local people. “With this recognition, I am not treated as a ‘newcomer’ but a district councilor with a certain pedigree in Hong Kong. They also acknowledged the reason and value why we came.” Mr. Ng also believes that the support of his party is important since he lacks working hours and publicity in the local area.
Former District Councilor Encourages Hongkongers to Participate in Politics
Yau Man-chun, former Shatin district councilor, who, along with Mr. Ng, resigned amid the wave of resignations of pro-democracy district councilors in 2021 and then went to the UK, was really encouraged by Mr. Ng’s election success. Looking back at the time when district councilors were forced to resign en masse and leave, Mr. Yau described to The Epoch Times that it was quite a helpless time. However, Mr. Ng’s success shows that “Hong Kong people can shine wherever they go, as long as they stand firm. And they should continue, practice, and persevere in our democratic belief, as well as in serving the people.”He said that whether it is Mr. Ng or other Hong Kong newcomers, they are at the stage of adapting to the British way of life “from ground zero,” which is not an enviable task to deal with. The way they achieve this highlights the perseverance and adaptability of the people of Hong Kong. Mr. Yau encouraged eligible Hongkongers now resident in the UK to register as voters and come out to vote. “The next step is to come out and participate in politics. Not only former district councilors should do that, but those who have settled in the UK can take the extra steps too.”
We have Ng Siu-hong in the Wokingham Council as the voice of the Hong Kong people, “But just one Ng Siu-kang is not enough, he said. Every Hongkonger has to participate in politics in one way or another. It might not be easy, but I hope everyone can do their part in their respective areas.”
