Orderly transfer of power in UK: an
example of “gentlemanly” politics
The PAP and the state media have always propagated and
perpetuated the myth that “multi-party” politics is “messy”,
“confrontational” and “partisan” in nature and detrimental to the
long-term interests of the country.
Law Minister Shanmugam said no less than two times that
Singapore needs a “strong” government with a “clear majority” to
govern, in explicit reference to the PAP’s overwhelming dominance
at the expense of a vibrant democracy in Singapore.
The orderly transfer of power from the Labor Party to the
Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in the recent U.K general
election is ample proof that politics can be both “confrontational”
and “gentlemanly” at the same time.
For those of you who have been watching the U.K parliamentary
debates, you will not fail to notice the intense rivalry between
the outgoing Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his nemesis David
Cameron.
However, both only have kind words for each other after Brown
tendered his resignation for Cameron to take his place at the next
Prime Minister of U.K.
After announcing his resignation, Brown said:
“I wish the next prime minister well as he makes the
important choices for the future. Only those who have held the
office of prime minister can understand the full weight of its
responsibilities and its great capacity for good.”
David Cameron returned the compliments hours later:
”Before I talk about that new government, let me say
something about the one that has just passed. Compared with a
decade ago, this country is more open at home and more
compassionate abroad and that is something we should all be
grateful for and on behalf of the whole country I’d like to pay
tribute to the outgoing prime minister for his long record of
dedicated public service.”
This is what “gentlemanly” politics is all about, not
threatening to “fix” the opposition should more of them get elected
into Parliament or calling in the army in the event of a “freak”
election.
The United Kingdom may have bequeathed its Westminister form of
parliamentary democracy to Singapore, but obviously after fifty
years and eleven general elections, we resemble more of a one-party
totalitarian fascist police state than a functional democracy.
http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/05/12/orderly-transfer-of-power-in-uk-an-example-of-gentlemanly-politics/
