Win or lose, this by election will not affect WP much. However, by getting involved in a ward that WP has been known to be cultivating for years, SDP and RP are telling all citizens that they don't value opposition unity. The 40% opposition voters are not going to view SDP and RP kindly after this incident.
This has to be amongst the worst opposition party strategy I have seen in the past 40 years, almost on same level of stupidity to Barisan boycott of parliament election in 1968.
I think the contrary. If you go back to 2 elections back, SDP has a possible 20% "hardcore" support in sembawang. the 40% choosing WP in the last election may comprise of a group of SDP support.
Why they did not go for Desmond of SDA? the way I see, he is a weak link in the opposition. If I am a voter in the SMC, I will have to worry that I have to protect him instead in case another one trying to bully him.
CSJ and SDP is known to play hardcore politics and this appeal to a much larger group of voters.
I really do not know about KJ, I think he might go the same way as Desmond.
It may be a stupid strategy, it at least made LHL calling for a by-election.