A few weeks before GE 2011, someone in this forum stated the possibility that WP may lose its only parliamentary presence after 2 decades. I recall that statement and the impact it had on the forum. You can sense the lack of confidence, people became more muted when making projections, etc. It took a couple weeks to raise the tempo and the forum came back to normal.
When WP smashed the GRC monopoly and up their winning margin in Hougang, suddenly everyone felt that they were experts and knew from the very beginning that WP will win at that scale.
Politics is never about gut feel. Voters in an electorate cut across a whole spectrum and they form opinions about parties over a period of time. They recall who made their rounds at the wet market, who was bullying whom etc. Unless there is a significant event, a swing of such proportion is unimaginable. Yaws is not significant event.
More importantly it about voters feeling confident about their future and that of their kids.
Elections in Singapore's recent history is about the conduct of the PAP and the future of Singaporeans. The future of Singapore might be bright but not the future of Singaporeans. They are struggling to keep their jobs. They seen their country changing overnight. They are abused by FTs, Ang Mos whack their biking helmet on their cars, jump queue and god knows what else.
This BE is not about Png or WP. Its about the scorecard of the PAP. Its about the sincerity of the apology and promise made by the PM.
I can't recall a single positive from the PAP since the conclusion of 2011 GE. Hougang will remain in non PAP hands.
(SCROOBAL)
