I have seen some comments from time to time in this forum and more often in the various popular local forums and the impression is that normal and good democratic political parties are not expected to have dissension, internal strife and other surprises.
The only political parties operating within a democratic framework that does not have such issues are either not democratic or basically a moribund party. There is no other organised entity that has such things issues than political parties.
In Singapore, opposition parties do not have the luxury to fish in a large pool of potential members and candidates. You grab whatever you can. The fact that WP had to persuade an inactive member with not even O Level qualifications to his name is clearly testimony to this. He not only rejected her the first time, the interesting thing is that it was Chairman of the Party dealng directly. It shows how desperate the situation is.
Dr Poh Lee Guan is another example. HE comes from the immediate past generation where if you had a degree and you took part in politics, you were considered an outstanding candidate and a hero of sorts. Wong Wee Nam is another. These guys generally consider themselves as the gifts to Singapore and some Singaporeans actually do think that. With the recent GE and PE, the tide is turning and quality candidates are popping up. The Poh's and Wong's of the yesteryears are feeling rejected and unimportant. So do expect erratic behaviour. Remember Wong Wee Nam's endorsement of Tan Kin Lian and his U turn and his claims to know everyone standing for PE intimately. I occasionally read his articles and wondered if doeshave family or friends that could tell him that his content is rubbish in the main.
These 2 are not the ones, there is whole bunch of irrelevant and hopelessly inadequate and under-qualified from previous generation and some holding CEC and key office bearer positions getting roundly thrashed during the last GE. I recall how they wanted their own SMCs.
The next category are the minorities. We all know that PAP intentionally did this for GRCs and then attempt to control quality Malay candidates by various bribes to the community. The Indians are by nature never team players and therefore community bribes do not work so the PAP can't apply the same medicine. But as they are not team players they do not work generally well in party matters in the first place unless in a leadership position.
Opposition Political Parties and their members are better off if they understand these constraints and begin to apply specific strategies and not do what they do now. Make phone calls just before GE.
The only political parties operating within a democratic framework that does not have such issues are either not democratic or basically a moribund party. There is no other organised entity that has such things issues than political parties.
In Singapore, opposition parties do not have the luxury to fish in a large pool of potential members and candidates. You grab whatever you can. The fact that WP had to persuade an inactive member with not even O Level qualifications to his name is clearly testimony to this. He not only rejected her the first time, the interesting thing is that it was Chairman of the Party dealng directly. It shows how desperate the situation is.
Dr Poh Lee Guan is another example. HE comes from the immediate past generation where if you had a degree and you took part in politics, you were considered an outstanding candidate and a hero of sorts. Wong Wee Nam is another. These guys generally consider themselves as the gifts to Singapore and some Singaporeans actually do think that. With the recent GE and PE, the tide is turning and quality candidates are popping up. The Poh's and Wong's of the yesteryears are feeling rejected and unimportant. So do expect erratic behaviour. Remember Wong Wee Nam's endorsement of Tan Kin Lian and his U turn and his claims to know everyone standing for PE intimately. I occasionally read his articles and wondered if doeshave family or friends that could tell him that his content is rubbish in the main.
These 2 are not the ones, there is whole bunch of irrelevant and hopelessly inadequate and under-qualified from previous generation and some holding CEC and key office bearer positions getting roundly thrashed during the last GE. I recall how they wanted their own SMCs.
The next category are the minorities. We all know that PAP intentionally did this for GRCs and then attempt to control quality Malay candidates by various bribes to the community. The Indians are by nature never team players and therefore community bribes do not work so the PAP can't apply the same medicine. But as they are not team players they do not work generally well in party matters in the first place unless in a leadership position.
Opposition Political Parties and their members are better off if they understand these constraints and begin to apply specific strategies and not do what they do now. Make phone calls just before GE.
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