Dear Scroo,
A Geoffry Howe style letter and resignation if any. His resignation puts in the light squarely fundamental issues of management, direction and leadership within the party.
a. A cadreship within the WP is worthless, A Cadreship with the PAP priceless.
b. The PAP had this debate eons ago and resolved it squarely in favor of renewal. If you are a PAP candidate, cadreship becomes automatic.
c. The debate within the WP has not been resolved and will never be resolved until the pro's and con's of either approach are debated whilst dealing squarely with the issue of leadership, leadership style and the difference between "first" and "first amongst equals "
d. You might think that offering people a chance to stand under the WP banner and franchise is an honor and the next best thing to sliced bread but ambitious smart politicians might see it differently.
e. You might believe that ambitious smart politicians should then demonstrate loyalty through sheer grunt work for the next five years in the grassroots in exchange for a small say in how the party is run and for another chance at a run for parliament, but ambitious smart politicians might want a little trust and or a little acknowledgement or reward in the here and now in exchange for a little more grunt work.
f. At the end the of the day, PAP renewal is about recruiting and parachuting in the brightest and best they can find into the party. WP renewal is about recruiting the most loyal , hardworking, who will live on bread water love of the opposition cause individual for the party who thanks the party for the chance to serve and to be exploited to the full
Locke
Firstly this Indian chap by his very own admission has indicated that prior to and after GE except for a short while after GE could not commit time and effort to the Party. Yet he does not realise why they could not make him a cadre. He was not signing up for a gym membership. His timing of thevresignation shows that he is either manipulative or being manipulated. The Malay member who resigned was certainly not devious.
Secondly I would think that being a candidate and receiving 40 plus % was a greater achievement then being an cadre espcially when he has other more important commitment than party work. A Chinese candidate would not have that luxury. Certainly a chap who is not very bright or prefers to have titles.
Thirdly as a minority he knows that this is pretty much affirmative action category. The PAP deliberately did this. Surely he and his family and close friends would know that on his own and with his background, qualification and charisma, he would be lucky to get a second look from a tissue vendor let alone garner 2% of votes. I have seen him during the elections hustings and I may be bias but I would still say that my doorstop has got more personality than him.
Fourthly I would suggest that this form of action especially the timing puts the entire Indian community in bad light and reinforces the stereotype that touches on trust and reliability. The Indian culture tends to be fatalistic. If they go down, they will bring everyone down. This unfortunately smacks of it.
Now for the WP. This espisode should deliver a deafing message if they haven't figured it out yet. The PAP learnt it long time ago. Beggars can't be chosers. The PAP have made Malays, Indians and Eurasians cadres to reflect the racial composition of society. Nothing to do with meritocracy. To some extent its political correctness to bring in the votes and being practical. Its creates a reservoir to make the quota.
Lets face it, being a cadre is not exactly an achievement one puts down in a CV. The trick is have more reliable cadres and less of the less reliable and you can still function.
