Eric Tan Affair and the maturing of Singapore Opposition Politics

[scroobal]

Eric is not the first and he won't be the last. It has been a watershed year and the decision by WP CEC does indicate that opposition politics is maturing and has come of age. I am actually surprised that Eric honestly thought that he had a chance against Gerald Giam. Giam is a young man and that is not the reason why he has been chosen. While young and a promising career in MFA, he chose to speak out and make tough choices. He found a following and he made a mark. Eric did not make those choices at the same age. Eric did not gamble nor risk his career. He was at the tail end of his career and there was nothing to wager on. Except for walking the ground, I am sure no one else has clue what he had done in WP or in Singapore politics. Can we say the same for Gerald Giam.

When WP began the final round of planning for this GE, many aspiring candidates who had invested many years in the party, walked the ground and who had saved desposit money amongst other things were disappointed that the Party did not approve their candidature. I am sure some will leave. The picture for them will not be any brighter going forward as more quality candidates are expected at the next GE.

The same applies to other parties. No party will want to field underqualified, lacklustre and colourless candidates if they have a choice. No amount of blood, sweat and tears over many years is going to help if one is colourless and not meant to be a politician.

NSP party veterans who throttled the more promising candidates have only themselves to blame. Despite achieving the biggest swing of 11% amongst the GRCs including Aljunied, they did not get a candiate into parliament or even the 9th NCMP seat.

The performance of all the vets have been mediocre to poor at best. They have been households names in view of their participation over many GEs but that did not help one bit.

 

[Fool_Me_Hard]

I am sure the leaders of Workers' Party have a few hundred members to choose from but the final list only dwindle down to 23. The party is very particular about images, perhaps even more than the PAP. I am sure there are some volunteers who have done grassroots works with them for more than 20 years, but understand why are are not chosen as candidates. They won't want to field people just to make up the numbers and ended up with housewives, taxi drivers, grocers, students, and warehouse assistant as candidates... Pritam Singh is an exception... Although he is a PHD student who probably only have a few years of work experience but his oratory skills are excellent. Sure to awe even the ministers with his speech.

 

[steffychun]

Maybe Tan will form a Team and compete against both PAP and WP in 2016.

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Scroobal

It really pains me to see this unfold. Firstly he forgot the first rule in opposition politics u may sacrifice much but you will gain little. Whilst he was old neither was he past his sell by date unlike the older vets in NSP or for that matter SPP. He still had much to contribute but Sadly his emotions got the better of him. He was at 45 percent a credible performance given the heavy firepower against him. The NCMP if given to him would have been a reward for his work and sacrifice but it would not have been for the parties interest for 2016.

That damm ego problem amongst opposition politicians who are so willing to go for short term gain versus long term fundamental change. Geralds performance on TV and during the rallies was definitely better then his. If he had stayed he could have negotiated a better position for himself in the party in exchange for giving way NCMP wise younger blood and led a renewed assault on EC.

Dammm that ego and short sighteness in demanding the low hanging fruit.


Locke

Eric is not the first and he won't be the last. It has been a watershed year and the decision by WP CEC does indicate that opposition politics is maturing and has come of age. I am actually surprised that Eric honestly thought that he had a chance against Gerald Giam. Giam is a young man and that is not the reason why he has been chosen. While young and a promising career in MFA, he chose to speak out and make tough choices. He found a following and he made a mark. Eric did not make those choices at the same age. Eric did not gamble nor risk his career. He was at the tail end of his career and there was nothing to wager on. Except for walking the ground, I am sure no one else has clue what he had done in WP or in Singapore politics. Can we say the same for Gerald Giam.

When WP began the final round of planning for this GE, many aspiring candidates who had invested many years in the party, walked the ground and who had saved desposit money amongst other things were disappointed that the Party did not approve their candidature. I am sure some will leave. The picture for them will not be any brighter going forward as more quality candidates are expected at the next GE.

The same applies to other parties. No party will want to field underqualified, lacklustre and colourless candidates if they have a choice. No amount of blood, sweat and tears over many years is going to help if one is colourless and not meant to be a politician.

NSP party veterans who throttled the more promising candidates have only themselves to blame. Despite achieving the biggest swing of 11% amongst the GRCs including Aljunied, they did not get a candiate into parliament or even the 9th NCMP seat.

The performance of all the vets have been mediocre to poor at best. They have been households names in view of their participation over many GEs but that did not help one bit.

 

[Windsor]

The Workers' Party and Singapore's future is bigger than him. Although his past sacrifice was well appreciated, the country needs the best and if he is not the best, then he should put the party and the country first. If his ego is too big, then all of us are sorry but that is the way the ball bounces. This is not a game the Workers' Party can afford to indulge in, for the country comes first before all else.

 

[kingrant]

You need a qualifier, and i have taken the liberty to do so....from very recent experience..

No Opposition party will want to field underqualified, lacklustre and colourless candidates if they have a choice. No amount of blood, sweat and tears over many years is going to help if one is colourless and not meant to be a politician.

 

[kingrant]

I am sure the decision was not easy for the WP CEC. Politics is always about the greater good, and personal sacrifices.

As they say, WP lost a good party veteran but Singapore gained a son in parliament, albeit an NCMP.

 

[longbow]

What you said about Eric applies to PAP candidates. All have nothing to lose, not tested, etc etc

Eric is not the first and he won't be the last. It has been a watershed year and the decision by WP CEC does indicate that opposition politics is maturing and has come of age. I am actually surprised that Eric honestly thought that he had a chance against Gerald Giam. Giam is a young man and that is not the reason why he has been chosen. While young and a promising career in MFA, he chose to speak out and make tough choices. He found a following and he made a mark. Eric did not make those choices at the same age. Eric did not gamble nor risk his career. He was at the tail end of his career and there was nothing to wager on. Except for walking the ground, I am sure no one else has clue what he had done in WP or in Singapore politics. Can we say the same for Gerald Giam.
.

 

[RandomNexus]

Dear Scroobal

It really pains me to see this unfold. Firstly he forgot the first rule in opposition politics u may sacrifice much but you will gain little. Whilst he was old neither was he past his sell by date unlike the older vets in NSP or for that matter SPP. He still had much to contribute but Sadly his emotions got the better of him. He was at 45 percent a credible performance given the heavy firepower against him. The NCMP if given to him would have been a reward for his work and sacrifice but it would not have been for the parties interest for 2016.

That damm ego problem amongst opposition politicians who are so willing to go for short term gain versus long term fundamental change. Geralds performance on TV and during the rallies was definitely better then his. If he had stayed he could have negotiated a better position for himself in the party in exchange for giving way NCMP wise younger blood and led a renewed assault on EC.

Dammm that ego and short sighteness in demanding the low hanging fruit.


Locke

It is natural for Eric to be disappointed as he made sacrifices to fight for the opposition cause over many years, and here is a chance to be a NCMP, but he was overlooked despite being the leader of the WP East Coast GRC team. But to quit over this disappointment is not a mark of a politician. It does suggest that he recognises that it is not worth continuing what he has done. He is the treasurer in WP CEC, and bulk of CEC members are of the younger generation, and I reckon Low is farsighted to give Gerald a shot at being NCMP. There will be more tough decisions for Low to make especially to make way for new and more credible people who will join, after this GE.

The net result will be more politicking to take place within political parties with the stakes much higher than in the past.

 

[RandomNexus]

Eric is not the first and he won't be the last. It has been a watershed year and the decision by WP CEC does indicate that opposition politics is maturing and has come of age. I am actually surprised that Eric honestly thought that he had a chance against Gerald Giam. Giam is a young man and that is not the reason why he has been chosen. While young and a promising career in MFA, he chose to speak out and make tough choices. He found a following and he made a mark. Eric did not make those choices at the same age. Eric did not gamble nor risk his career. He was at the tail end of his career and there was nothing to wager on. Except for walking the ground, I am sure no one else has clue what he had done in WP or in Singapore politics. Can we say the same for Gerald Giam.

When WP began the final round of planning for this GE, many aspiring candidates who had invested many years in the party, walked the ground and who had saved desposit money amongst other things were disappointed that the Party did not approve their candidature. I am sure some will leave. The picture for them will not be any brighter going forward as more quality candidates are expected at the next GE.

The same applies to other parties. No party will want to field underqualified, lacklustre and colourless candidates if they have a choice. No amount of blood, sweat and tears over many years is going to help if one is colourless and not meant to be a politician.

NSP party veterans who throttled the more promising candidates have only themselves to blame. Despite achieving the biggest swing of 11% amongst the GRCs including Aljunied, they did not get a candiate into parliament or even the 9th NCMP seat.

The performance of all the vets have been mediocre to poor at best. They have been households names in view of their participation over many GEs but that did not help one bit.

In the past and now, most opposition candidates just dropped by to contest. From now to the future, there will be the rise of the more credible politicians, who will work the ground before the GE. Political parties will take a more effective role now, given the results of this GE.

The reason why the vets did badly, is due to the fact they are running under non-WP banner, with no new messages for the electorate. It is as good as saying nothing, and the media, as usual, looking for the new and unusual, ignored them. As a result, they got no media exposure, and they did not work the ground at all unlike WP in Aljunied.

 

[IR123]

If he had stayed

There is no situation that is beyond salvage if both parties are willing to do what is best for the party.

Perhaps Locke can be the intermediary?

 

[longbow]

Problem is he made such a public statement.

He should have just stepped down graciously.

But should have stayed. The ground is ripe for another 2 GRC in 5 years. WP will have advantage of raising issues but cannot be blamed for bad policies or poor economy since they are not in control. He should have just told WP he want a SMC, use that WP brandname and lay ground works for the next 5 years. In 5 years, he will have LTK, Sylvia, CSM campaiging for him and good chance. Also PAP will stop disadvantaging opposition wards with upgrading (I think this is not playing well in Singapore).

Stupid guy

It is natural for Eric to be disappointed as he made sacrifices to fight for the opposition cause over many years, and here is a chance to be a NCMP, but he was overlooked despite being the leader of the WP East Coast GRC team. But to quit over this disappointment is not a mark of a politician. It does suggest that he recognises that it is not worth continuing what he has done. He is the treasurer in WP CEC, and bulk of CEC members are of the younger generation, and I reckon Low is farsighted to give Gerald a shot at being NCMP. There will be more tough decisions for Low to make especially to make way for new and more credible people who will join, after this GE.

The net result will be more politicking to take place within political parties with the stakes much higher than in the past.

 

[IR123]

Politics is always about the greater good, and personal sacrifices.

Politics is about having your way, getting personal benefits and furthering your own hidden agenda.

Politics is about professing great love for your countrymen, speaking eloquently, having great PR, charisma and goodwill. The voters believed them, make excuses for them and buy into arguments why it is not right for the PAP but right for them to do the same type of actions.

However for the aspiring politician, politics is "always about the greater good and personal sacrifices".

Of the same level of fervor and honesty in which a medical student vows to uphold the Hippocratic Oath, a law student to uphold justice.

 

[IR123]

But should have stayed. The ground is ripe for another 2 GRC in 5 years. WP will have advantage of raising issues but cannot be blamed for bad policies or poor economy since they are not in control. He should have just told WP he want a SMC, use that WP brandname and lay ground works for the next 5 years. In 5 years, he will have LTK, Sylvia, CSM campaiging for him and good chance. Also PAP will stop disadvantaging opposition wards with upgrading (I think this is not playing well in Singapore).

Stupid guy

Perhaps what is needed now is to salvage the situation.