This past weekend showed that common sense seems to be prevailing within the Opposition ranks when a few parties who were possibly locked in three-cornered fights at the upcoming General Elections, chose to make way for others in their straight fight with the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). All cited “for the sake of Opposition unity” for their decisions in pulling out.
On Saturday, the National Solidarity Party (NSP) announced that they were giving up Moulmein-Kallang GRC and Yuhua SMC. Instead they will focus on Choa Chu Kang GRC, Jurong GRC, Tampines GRC, Pioneer, Radin Mas and Whampoa SMCs. The party has also said they are interested in contesting at Marine Parade GRC as seen by their presence at a walkabout in the area the previous weekend. This moves allow the Worker’s Party (WP) to contest Moulmein-Kallang GRC and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) over at Yuhua SMC.
On Sunday, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) announced that they will focus their efforts at Holland-Bukit Timah GRC and the single member constituency wards of Yuhua and Bukit Panjang, giving up Whampoa SMC in the process. The Reform Party (RP) has also decided to give way to other opposition parties in two SMCs and one GRC, paving the way for the NSP in Jurong GRC, the SDP in Yuhua SMC and the Singapore People's Party (SPP) in Hong Kah North SMC.
Questions still remain on the possible three-cornered fights being faced between the PAP, NSP and RP over at Pioneer and Radin Mas SMCs, or the rumoured four-cornered fight at Sengkang West SMC One of the opposition parties would have to give up on certain wards, if they want to remain true to their pledge for opposition unity or harmony. My personal take is that based on history, when his late father Joshua Benjamin was the MP for Anson back in the early 80s, the head of RP, Mr Kenneth Jeyaratnam, will go after Radin Mas SMC and giving up Pioneer for NSP. This makes a lot of sense since the NSP is also contesting Jurong GRC, which is next to Pioneer.
However, there is so far no news nor concrete plans to contest Sembawang, Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar GRCs, the latter two being the strongholds of the Prime Minister and Minister Mentor respectively. Rather than worry about three-cornered fights elsewhere, I call upon all Opposition parties to unite under one banner and contest at these areas to show the ruling party that it’s not a walkover by any means. I am sure there are unhappy citizens in those constituencies and they would want to show their unhappiness through their votes.
What have the Opposition got to lose? In 2006, even the so-called “Suicide Squad” by the Worker’s Party team garnered a third of the percentage. That says a lot on the sentiments being felt by the people on the way the ruling party is governing this country. A show of solidarity and unity would go a long way in making the voice of the people heard. And that could only mean one thing: That the Opposition have truly arrived!!!
On Saturday, the National Solidarity Party (NSP) announced that they were giving up Moulmein-Kallang GRC and Yuhua SMC. Instead they will focus on Choa Chu Kang GRC, Jurong GRC, Tampines GRC, Pioneer, Radin Mas and Whampoa SMCs. The party has also said they are interested in contesting at Marine Parade GRC as seen by their presence at a walkabout in the area the previous weekend. This moves allow the Worker’s Party (WP) to contest Moulmein-Kallang GRC and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) over at Yuhua SMC.
On Sunday, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) announced that they will focus their efforts at Holland-Bukit Timah GRC and the single member constituency wards of Yuhua and Bukit Panjang, giving up Whampoa SMC in the process. The Reform Party (RP) has also decided to give way to other opposition parties in two SMCs and one GRC, paving the way for the NSP in Jurong GRC, the SDP in Yuhua SMC and the Singapore People's Party (SPP) in Hong Kah North SMC.
Questions still remain on the possible three-cornered fights being faced between the PAP, NSP and RP over at Pioneer and Radin Mas SMCs, or the rumoured four-cornered fight at Sengkang West SMC One of the opposition parties would have to give up on certain wards, if they want to remain true to their pledge for opposition unity or harmony. My personal take is that based on history, when his late father Joshua Benjamin was the MP for Anson back in the early 80s, the head of RP, Mr Kenneth Jeyaratnam, will go after Radin Mas SMC and giving up Pioneer for NSP. This makes a lot of sense since the NSP is also contesting Jurong GRC, which is next to Pioneer.
However, there is so far no news nor concrete plans to contest Sembawang, Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar GRCs, the latter two being the strongholds of the Prime Minister and Minister Mentor respectively. Rather than worry about three-cornered fights elsewhere, I call upon all Opposition parties to unite under one banner and contest at these areas to show the ruling party that it’s not a walkover by any means. I am sure there are unhappy citizens in those constituencies and they would want to show their unhappiness through their votes.
What have the Opposition got to lose? In 2006, even the so-called “Suicide Squad” by the Worker’s Party team garnered a third of the percentage. That says a lot on the sentiments being felt by the people on the way the ruling party is governing this country. A show of solidarity and unity would go a long way in making the voice of the people heard. And that could only mean one thing: That the Opposition have truly arrived!!!
Yes indeed.
ReplyDeleteUnit to confront a common adversary.
Any reason or rule which says why opposition parties cannot join forces to contest a GRC?