Tsang wins on policy but Leong excels at debate | SCMP

Donald Tsang Yam-kuen outshone Alan Leong Kah-kit on public policy issues, while losing out to his rival on debating skills last night in the city's second election debate, according to a University of Hong Kong poll.

The chief executive met Mr Leong, his Civic Party challenger, in a combative encounter televised live. Organised by the city's eight electronic media organisations, the debate was the first - and only - election forum at which members of the public could take part.

The poll, conducted by HKU's public opinion programme, found that 55.7 per cent of respondents agreed more with Mr Tsang's views on public policy issues. Only 23.1 per cent sided with Mr Leong, a lawmaker and barrister.

But the findings were reversed if the candidates' debating abilities were the benchmark. About 53 per cent considered Mr Leong had superior debating skills, while only 24.3 per cent thought Mr Tsang was better at debating.