So what is the decrease by 2.7% after only one year and all the talk about govt so bad?
The decrease is much lesser than most would have expected. Given the issues WP has to deal with prior to the BE, this is a victory for WP unless you're blinded by your unquestioning support for PAP or equally blind bias against WP.
In fact, given the sacking of YSL, the bar has been raised by WP in terms of setting standards of accountability. And it's sad that PAP, once the beacon of integrity in local political scene (at least they claim to be), will now have to play catch up with WP in this regard. Who is to say that there won't be a scandal (of any kind) that would rock PAP in future? And Singaporeans would be watching to see if LHL has the courage to wield the axe.
That's not to say that WP has no problems. Sajeev, PLG, the leaked minutes, and of course Png are all issues LTK and SL have to deal with decisively after this BE, despite what LTK said about not pursuing the leaked minutes issue. WP has a lot of soul searching to do.
And this BE is also indicative of WP gaining strength and momentum, while other opposition parties, if they do not pull their weights and step up, risk further marginalisation in the politicial development of Singapore. Then, the scenario of "monopoly" by one single and strongest opposition party, which GMS detests, may really happen.