Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (Legco) has faced scrutiny over its size, efficiency, and public perception amid recent comments by Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, the city’s first post-handover Legco president. During a radio interview, Fan expressed tentative agreement with the notion that a legislature with 90 seats incurs higher costs than one with 60, marking an unusual acknowledgment from a prominent political veteran of the potential need to reconsider the council’s composition.
The current 90-seat legislature is a result of incremental expansions: from 60 seats originally, it increased to 70 in 2012 as part of a constitutional reform package, and then to 90 following a significant electoral overhaul in 2021 that also reshaped Legco’s overall structure. While the incremental additions brought higher expenses, officials historically viewed these changes as necessary to meet governance needs.
Although financial concerns exist, experts and observers note that cost is not the central issue affecting Legco’s standing. Public dissatisfaction stems more from perceptions of lawmakers’ conduct and the council’s efficacy. Fan highlighted the importance of legislators maintaining personal integrity and avoiding legal infractions, arguing that members should serve as role models while advocating for constituents. She referenced recent cases of misconduct as damaging public trust, which undermines the institution’s legitimacy.
However, beyond questionable individual behavior, the challenge lies in a sense that Legco’s work has become less visible or impactful. The once frequent, high-profile chamber disputes have largely faded following reforms that emphasized discipline and patriotism among lawmakers. Consequently, much of the council’s routine business is overlooked, while isolated incidents—such as a resident throwing red paint at a joint district office to protest perceived unhelpfulness by two legislators—draw outsized attention and reinforce negative public sentiment.
A 2025 survey by the PoD Research Institute underscored these concerns, revealing that only 29.6% of respondents were satisfied with Legco’s performance, compared to 50.6% expressing dissatisfaction. Calls persist for legislators to engage in more substantive, constructive debate rather than proposing symbolic or trivial measures. For instance, proposals like former police officer and legislator Joe Chan’s suggestion to set up a lottery for families of newborns, or Bill Tang Ka-piu’s earlier idea to place baby photos in government offices to encourage childbirth, have been criticized as lacking meaningful policy impact.
A broader factor influencing public perception relates to the administration’s relationship with Legco. Since Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s unprecedented speech at the January oath-taking ceremony—where he outlined his vision of legislators’ roles but omitted reference to their constitutional duty to oversee the government—some lawmakers feel their mandate has been undermined. Reports indicate that officials have taken a hard line on legislators who voice policy criticisms, limiting their ability to perform oversight effectively.
This dynamic has contributed to a paradox: while Legco has improved operational efficiency and reduced disorderly conduct, its public reputation has declined. Political consultant Alice Wu, a former associate director at UCLA’s Asia Pacific Media Network, observes that the government’s approach toward the legislature has created barriers for lawmakers, ultimately impacting the council’s public standing and effectiveness.
As Hong Kong navigates these challenges, the balance between legislative efficiency, meaningful policy discourse, and public engagement remains a key concern for the city’s political future.