Irrelevant because all that is needed is the swing vote. There is a 30% block of die hard opposition - those that miss the Singapore Dream (afterall our system does not allow for second chances). So you just need that 21% to win.
Just like 1st world nations, the concerns of society shift from bread and butter issues. You see people with concerns from gay rights, animal rights, env concerns, free speech, transparency (one of the rough metrics to gauge if a society is 1st world is the number of pet supply stores), social safety nets, low cost healthcare, class ratios and numerous other issues. This segment is well educated, young and therefore not concerned with bread and butter issues.
So the old methods of providing basic bread and butter (carrot) with a huge stick (incarceration) no longer works.
When facebook came out many raised issues about privacy. But when the users were interviewed, many were none too concerned with this lack of privacy. They were perfectly fine with sharing their detail and friends and friends of friends. My point here is that this new generation has no concept or fear of big brother looking at them. With facebook and twitter they can easily organize against any party attacking their pet issue.
Just look at VB's attempt with the gay issue during GE. I suspect that the response against him came at all levels. Gay rights groups from within Singapore, those from overseas and likely even response from overseas Gov.
And you may be surprised with the response from those within the bungalows. All it takes is a son/daughter/nephew/niece who is gay and suddenly you have a family becoming very sensitive about gay issues.
This is a new world we are in.
Agree. Old man's had a winning formula - provide the basics and a little more and there is no reason to dissent. Life was good and the country prospered. Until relatives and friends started to lose their jobs, society and culture impacted by wave after wave of foreigners right across all strata of society. Those who live in good class bungalows are isolated and detached and unable to see or hear what goes on on the ground.