Let us have a clean, multi-cornered contest in Punggol East SMC

[ray_of_hope]

Clearly, what most people on SBF think is a good candidate in elections is NOT shared offline by many voters. During last year's PE most on SBF supported TJS. He did not come close to winning squat. And at last year's GE, what most intellectuals would have thought of as a good slate of opposition candidates standing in Holland-Bukit Timah was disputed by 60% of the voters living there.

 

[scroobal]

That was not the case. Where did you get the idea? SDP supporters in this forum plus a few others supported TJS. Others supported TCB. Most were panning TKL.

. During last year's PE most on SBF supported TJS. He did not come close to winning squat. And at last year's GE, what most intellectuals would have thought of as a good slate of opposition candidates standing in Holland-Bukit Timah was disputed by 60% of the voters living there.

 

[sirus]

http://therealsingapore.com/content/further-opposition-cause-nsp-says-not-contesting-punggol-east
TO FURTHER OPPOSITION CAUSE, NSP SAYS NOT CONTESTING IN PUNGGOL EAST

East by-election should PM Lee calls for one, Secretary-General of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) Hazel Poa, said that NSP has decided not to create a multi-cornered fight by contesting in the by-election.

This is “in the interest of furthering the opposition cause”, she said.

Indeed, such selfless spirit from NSP is commendable.

The Workers’ Party (WP) contested in the Punggol East SMC at the last election. In a statement on 12 Dec, WP said that it is ready to offer a choice to the voters of Punggol East SMC again in the by-election.

History has shown that any multi-cornered fights in elections will always benefit the incumbent ruling party, PAP.

In 1963 election, this was exactly what happened (‘Vote splitting: Do not let history repeat itself!‘). While the opposition camp as a whole won only 14 seats, statistics showed how the splitting of anti-PAP votes had denied the opposition camp as a whole from winning a further 18 parliamentary seats. In other words, had the opposition camp fought as a united force, it would have captured 32 out of the 51 seats (i.e. 62.7% of parliamentary seats)!

Meanwhile, with regard to Michael Palmer’s affair, NSP said “regardless of his or her position, each person should be responsible and accountable for his/her actions.” And “this is a principle we must uphold.”

Ms Poa said the NSP noted with concern the rise in the number of high-profile cases of marital infidelities in Singapore and “urged the MCYS to study if these are signs of a rising social problem, and if so, the underlying causes.”

She said the impact of a social breakdown to a person’s quality of life can never be compensated by economic achievements.

 

[tonychat]

so many opposition to contest for one ward.. PAP sure win again in this seat. this is just basic math calculation. unless the sinkieness level is lowered there , then still got hope. but i think the sinkieness stinks there.

 

[OverTheCounter]

SG politics has got to mature. We cannot depend on one opposition party to call all the shots and act as the watchdog whilst everyone else is told to give way. I think that is no longer the right way to do things. We put our best effort forward and let the voters sort out the winners and losers.

If this was the GE or a GRC BE, I would be very eager for the opposition party to win.

But if there is a BE for Punggol East SMC, I'm actually looking forward to a multi cornered fight. Let 2 or 3 opposition parties put out their strongest possible candidate and see what happens. Even if the pap wins, see which opposition party gets the highest % of votes. Let's also observe how the parties and the key individuals within the parties approach the elections both pre and post nomination day.

And if by some chance an opposition candidate wins in a multi cornered fight, wouldn't that be just hilarious and great?

 

[OverTheCounter]

TS

Good post.

I was expected to get roundly flamed and called a PAP dog/mongrel/poodle for even suggesting that an MCF was acceptable against the high and mighty WP. I think people are beginning the realize that no single party has the monopoly on talent, branding and strategy.

 

[OverTheCounter]

Clearly, what most people on SBF think is a good candidate in elections is NOT shared offline by many voters. During last year's PE most on SBF supported TJS. He did not come close to winning squat. And at last year's GE, what most intellectuals would have thought of as a good slate of opposition candidates standing in Holland-Bukit Timah was disputed by 60% of the voters living there.

Lee Li Lian's candidacy was also disputed by 60% of PE residents. Gerald Giam's team was disputed by 55% of EC residents. So what. The work of the opposition is never done. What matters is whether the team can improve and learn from past mistakes.

But i agree TJS was a lemon. I have awoken from a matrix like slumber.