All opposition parties decline SDP's National Conversation

[tanwahp]

Will we expect a more fragmented opposition in 2016?

Bloggers and NGO representatives will replace opposition party representatives at the National Conversation Roundtable organised by the SDP.

The National Solidarity Party, Singapore People's Party and Singapore Democratic Alliance replied to say that they would not be sending representatives to speak on the panel.

The Reform Party said that it should be able to make the event but as of this report had not confirmed its participation. Workers' Party did not reply to the invitation.

This being the case, the SDP will conduct the discussion with the civil society leaders and bloggers instead. The Roundtable will be held this Saturday, 29 September 2012, at the Quality Hotel from 2-5pm. The speakers are (list updated to include Ms Teo Soh Lung from Function8):

Mr Alex Au, Yawningbread
Mr Andrew Loh, Publichouse.sg
Mr Kumaran Pillai, The Online Citizen
Ms Teo Soh Lung, Function8
Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, Singapore Democratic Party

A representative of the human rights organisation, Maruah, will also speak at the Roundtable.

Having left out significant opinion formers from the conversation, the PAP is extremely vulnerable to the accusation, now being actively canvassed online, that it is not genuine in listening to what the people have to say. How this will affect the future direction of this country will be the focus of the discussion at the Roundtable.

Are there taboo areas in the National Conversation that are off-limits such as the Internal Security Act, the judiciary or appointments of high level officials?

Another question that will be tackled is whether a genuine National Conversation can occur in the absence of a free and pluralistic media. Thus far, the Prime Minister and MPs of the governing party have held a televised forum on Channel News Asia. Netizens later discovered that many of the participants were PAP members or establishment personalities linked to the governing party.

Speakers will address these issues and field questions. The Roundtable will steer in a "new normal” where frank and open dialogue can take place between the people, civil society, the opposition and the Government.

 

[yellowarse]

At least the SDP tried. No one can blame it for not wanting to forge opposition solidarity.

 

[wikiphile]

Will we expect a more fragmented opposition in 2016?

There is no such thing as an united opposition, just individual interests.

 

[tanwahp]

At least the SDP tried. No one can blame it for not wanting to forge opposition solidarity.

True, but opposition solidarity will be a back burner where the electorate is concerned. I don't think many will be convinced that because of this, if SDP comes to their ward they will vote SDP, any other opposition comes they will spoil their vote.

 

[yellowarse]

True, but opposition solidarity will be a back burner where the electorate is concerned. I don't think many will be convinced that because of this, if SDP comes to their ward they will vote SDP, any other opposition comes they will spoil their vote.

We'll still need opposition co-operation if we want to avoid 3-cornered fights in 2016. Also the possibility of garnering enough votes to form an opposition coalition govt must also be explored.

 

[tanwahp]

We'll still need opposition co-operation if we want to avoid 3-cornered fights in 2016. Also the possibility of garnering enough votes to form an opposition coalition govt must also be explored.

When you talk about 3CF, you also need to be specific on whether it's avoiding 3CF in all 87 seats, or work towards limiting 3CF to less than 5 seats.

 

[Fook Seng]

You will never get support from any of the other opposition parties in an one-upmanship event, even disguised as a unification attempt. This is what all aspiring politicians must learn. True unification moves will come about to meet a mutual need. Don't think anyone can be forced or coerced into such attempts without compelling reasons to do so.

 

[tanwahp]

We'll still need opposition co-operation if we want to avoid 3-cornered fights in 2016. Also the possibility of garnering enough votes to form an opposition coalition govt must also be explored.

Let me be specific. To aim for zero 3CF is quite impossible. The opposition is also not that stupid or manpower resourceful to come up with 174 candidates (87 x 2) and create a 3CF everywhere.

In the next round, I expect a 3CF in one GRC and 2 SMCs at the most. If the opposition cannot agree to pulling back any more of their own candidates, limiting it to that is fine. They still stand a chance in the other 80 seats.

The opposition tend to be self-adjusting. Unlike what you inferred, the SDP forum won't help.

 

[Cruxx]

There are not many opposition parties that hate the PAP enough to sacrifice their self-interests just to oust them from power. Singaporeans, by and large, are supportive of the PAP. This is why the PAP still hold all 87 seats in parliament. So much for the "watershed election".

 

[RandomNexus]

You do not need to forge opposition unity with fellows with a terrible image and reputation associated with SDP. You get dragged down by them ..

The other opposition parties are simply prudent and sensible in this instance.

This is politics simply, and commonsensical.