Basically, Marine Parade is our "hidden card". Sebastian has spent lots of effort in cultivating Macpherson when it was a SMC, knocking three rounds of doors.
Some have asked me whether we had planned to go to MP prior to all negotiations, actually yes. It was an IDEAL TRAINING GROUND for NSP because it has three elements: first, MP was a better training ground to NSP as compared to AMK to WP back in GE2006. Because at least we have covered at least 3 times in one of the main constituency....i.e. Macpherson, along with an aggressive newspaper sales scheduled there and Geyland Serai.
Second, GCT is there. It is always better to use a large target board as training practice.
Last but not least, Tin PL.
I have told reporters and it was reported several times that NSP definitely has interests in contesting in MP.
But if WP is to insist to contest MP instead of MK, they have valid reasons to do so. Geographically, it is just next to Aljunied and East Coast; it would be easier for them to manage. From NSP's perspective, our main aim is to let our two scholars to contest in MK which at that point of time, it was their first choice. Though I thought that MP was actually a very attractive ground (up to the point that I was seriously considering contesting there if the scholars would contest in Tampines), but at party level, the strategy is to use MP as training ground for young candidates.
Thus personally, I feel that giving up our "training ground" in MP in exchange for MK would be appropriate. Of course, on hindsight, MP turns out to be a very good ground in the end.
I believe, in balancing the interests of both NSP and WP, letting WP to contest in MP would be the best move. Of course on hindsight, it is a blessing in disguise that NSP got to send Nicole to MP instead.
On hindsight, if WP has made the right move of contesting MP instead, it would have even higher chance of winning MP and EC together in next GE. The likelihood of MP having 3 corner fight would be almost zero. It is actually WP's strategic loss.
Now that NSP has performed well in MP, most likely NSP will continue to work on that ground. Even if WP wanted to contest in MP in next GE, it would most likely face 3 corner fight and the possibility of winning MP would be very very slim.
I would say that this is really unfortunate "karma" in action. When you thought you win all by elbowing into MK, you actually lose more in the long term.
Goh Meng Seng
would you feel less aggrieved if WP insist on MP instead??