Originally posted by ObviousMan:
Graciousness? Simi lai eh?
Speech below taken from:
http://www.wp.sg/ge2006/speeches.php
___________________________________________________
Friday, 5 May 2006
Low Thia Khiang's Speech at Serangoon Stadium
(Excerpt)
........................
Right from the onset, we look forward to an election where we would
be able to challenge and debate with the PAP on issues and policies
that people are concerned with. We are not interested in pock
barrel politics.
However, even before our manifesto hit the public, the PAP asked us
to change our manifesto. Then before Parliament was dissolved, PAP
wanted WP to introduce our candidates. Midway through our election
campaign, PAP wanted us to withdraw James Gomez from the Aljunied
team.
This is typical of the PAP. They are arrogant with a We know
whats best attitude. Let me tell them this WP is not subject to
the PAP; Nor are we afraid. We have our own mind!
..............................................
We fully agree that honesty and integrity are important traits for
MPs. So right from the onset of the campaign, I have instructed all
our candidates NOT to make any personal attacks or baseless
allegations against the PAP.
I believe we must have a more civilized political culture and
political engagement must be based on facts and debate and NOT
name-calling. An open debate on policies and issues will give us a
better understanding of the policies and intent of the government.
And with this, people can participate more actively in
decision-making of policies that affect them.
[b]Disappointingly however, the PAP candidates behaved otherwise.
Even new candidates got inducted into the PAPs culture of making
offensive remarks about opposition very quickly. Some of them even
equate us as horse and donkey. One new PAP candidate for Ang Mo Kio
GRC, Lee Bee Hwa, who spoke in Mandarin over Channel 8, 6.30pm news
on 30 April, said that Workers Party candidates may have
integrity problems.
This is uncalled for. I did not demand an apology as shes new and
people make mistakes. A minister also called WP the Wayang Party.
They are not only defaming our candidates but our party as well. Do
you know what would happen if an opposition MP said
this?
I have told the press during the introduction of our candidates
that they were selected based on 3Cs and 2Ps credibility,
capablility, character, passion and public spiritedness.
We are coming to the end of the election campaign period and I have
observed how our candidates have carried themselves this election.
It has reinforced my confidence in them. The PAP is also unable to
dig out any skeletons about our WP candidates. Why? Because there
are none!
The PAP has questioned the intention of James Gomez with regards to
the minority certificate. I have asked all potential minority
candidates to apply for one in case of a strategic switch in
constituency. The Malay candidate for Ang Mo Kio, Abdul Salim, has
also applied for one although we already have Gopal Khrisnan there
as our minority candidate. This is the reason why James went to
apply for the certificate.
As this episode has caused much distress to the Election
Department unwittingly, we have asked James to apologise and this
he did. I have spoken at length to James on this and have not found
any evidence to prove that James is dishonest in this
context.
It is unfair for George Yeo to use the analogy of a thief on James.
What has James stolen from the Election Department?
None of our Workers Party candidates have made any personal
attacks on the PAP candidates. None of them have raised any issues
on race or religion to incite the people. On the contrary, our
candidates have spoken responsibly on issues and concerns raised by
the people.
.....................................................................
[/url][/b]
In short: WP stuck to the game plan. The Ruling Party simply
lost the plot. 
