Ben Lam

Ben Lam Siu-pan (; born 1991) is a Hong Kong former politician and film critic. He became involved in politics while serving as the Deputy Secretariat of the Hong Kong Federation of Students during his studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. A trained social worker, Lam co-founded Community March in 2017 and served as the district councilor for the Mong Kok East constituency from 2020 to 2021, resigning prior to the enactment of the Public Offices Ordinance 2021. He also writes film reviews for Stand News, Hong Kong Inmedia, and The Chaser News.

Early life and education Lam was born in 1991 in Hong Kong. He studied social work at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, aspiring to help the grassroots community. In 2009, he participated in the annual , which he described as "his political awakening". Lam graduated in 2013 and became a registered social worker. He had also participated in the 2014 Umbrella Movement. He began focusing his work in Mong Kok East that May,

In 2018, Lam declared his candidacy for the district councilor position in the Mong Kok East constituency. In October 2020, Oriental Daily News reported that a Yellow economic circle market was held at Lam's district council office, raising concerns about compliance with usage regulations and COVID-19 social distancing measures. Lam responded that his office shared space with an NGO, and the market was held only within the NGO's area with government permission. In December 2020, he expressed interest in running for the 2021 Hong Kong legislative election. In May 2021, Lam announced that his office would no longer accept flowers from the public for the 2019 Prince Edward station attack due to multiple warnings from the Hong Kong Police Force since November 2020.

In July 2021, before the enactment of the Public Offices Ordinance 2021, Lam resigned as district councilor. Since his district council office still had a lease, he converted it into a shop called Saan1Haa6Gin3 while continuing to provide community service to local residents. In January 2023, the Independent Commission Against Corruption issued warrants for Lam and another legislative election candidate Sum Sung-sheung, accusing them of "making a false declaration of election expenses totaling HK$68,000" for the postponed election. The case alleges that Lam and Sum submitted nomination forms to the Registration and Electoral Office on the same day the government announced the postponement, including purchases of several electronics that the ICAC claims were "lodging false or misleading election return". He began his career as a critic by writing for House News and continued for its successor Stand News, contributing over 200 articles. In 2018, Lam served as a member of the panel of adjudicators at the . He has also written for Hong Kong Inmedia and is currently contributing to .

Personal life In 2018, while serving with Community March, Lam resided in Kwai Chung.