The Hong Kong Democratic Party being a staunch advocate of democracy, it of course follows democratic process in the running of its own affairs. If after due democratic process within the party, the Democratic Party still decides not to hold a “disguised referendum” on Hong Kong’s future system of government, this is understandable. However, this will show that the Hong Kong Democratic Party has reached its old age.

First of all, what is the average age of party members of the Hong Kong Democratic Party? What is the average age of influential members of the Hong Kong Democratic Party?

Another feature of old age is that this party just wants to hold onto their present positions, it is less aggressive and does not believe that the public can be staunch supporters of the cause of democracy and will take the initiative to come out and vote. In fact, if the public do not come out and vote, it is their choice, we must respect their choice. Therefore, what is the Democratic Party afraid of if there is a "disguised referendum"? Society is not static; it is changing all the time. The voters’ support of political parties changes all the time. They may not vote for the Democratic Party in the next election because they are not satisfied with the Democratic Party’s not agreeing to holding the "disguised referendum". Then the Democratic Party will not be able to hold onto their present position. In great contrast to the Hong Kong Democratic Party, other democratic parties of Hong Kong are much more assertive and confident. One of them may replace the Hong Kong Democratic Party as the single largest democratic party in Hong Kong.

1. Acknowledge that there is a problem and that the problem needs to be solved. 

2. First of all, forgive the other side. 

3. Review the causes of the problem. Review how many of the causes can be attributed to you. 

4. Review what can be done by you to improve the situation. 

5. Do what can be done.   

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馮友蘭先生曾在其《中國哲學和民主政治》一文中，提出民主的四個條件：

1. 要有「人是人」的認識，人是有獨立人格、自由意志的，不能成爲他人的工具；驅使別人、讓別人成爲自己的工具是不道德的行爲。

2. 對一切事物都應有多元論的看法，不能執一見而概括一切，儒家特別重視「和」，「和」就必須有「異」，把各種「異」調和起來就是「和」；五味俱全，八音齊奏，可以得到「和」；如果只有一樣的味、一樣的音，就只是「同」不是「和」了。

3. 要有超越感，不能以自己的觀點權衡其他的一切，互容相讓，才有民主的可能。

4. 要有幽默感，對任何不如意的事都能一笑了之，這樣才容得各種不同意見。