The compartively poor showing by the Democrats in the LegCo elections has seen China pleased with its handy-work and recriminations beginning amongst the Democrats. Poor planning, stupid tactics, needless last minute panic and poor politics all combined to enable the Democrats to shoot themselves in the foot. From hundreds of thousands of marchers in July they were unable to capitalise on the political momentum and convert it into votes.

The Democrats need to learn a few lessons. Firstly they need to learn how to play politics. They could do worse than study how effective both China and their proxies, especially the DAB, played the game. They need to have confidence in the voters of HK and stop putting petty egotistical disputes above the need to maximise votes. And they need to reflect on the lack of clear mandate they have for the next 4 years. Perhaps the result was a blessing in disguise: if it can force the Democratic Party into becoming a true political party rather than a collective one-purpose party then in the long run HK may be better off. But that's a big if.

UPDATE: Reactions from around the traps:
* Conrad isn't impressed with the process nor results.
* Chris is more upbeat about the results and quirks.
* Phil on both the disappointment for the Democrats and the turn-out.
* ESWN says the headlines differ to the reality in the reporting of the results.
* Fumier congratulates the real winner and notes the fractional gerrymandering in the system.
* Hemlock reviews and hastily packs his bags.
* Tom takes aim at Ming Pao and their equivalence between Chinese police and Human Rights Watch actions in the lead up to the poll.