IN THE upcoming general election, there will be more
parliamentary seats contested compared to the 2006 GE.
The opposition parties have to bear three important
considerations in mind, if they are to make any inroads into the
minds of younger, more sophisticated voters.
First, the quality of their candidates has to be suitably high.
Besides education and career achievements, candidates should be of
good character and integrity.
Second, the parties have to show not only that they have
coherent policies, but also that these are affordable, deliverable
and feasible.
The People's Action Party's (PAP) policies are tried and tested,
so opposition parties face an uphill task to improve on what is
already in place in respect of housing, education, health care,
transport and employment.
Third, the party leaders have to show that they can attract and
retain good talent, and also ensure their succession planning is
effective.
For example, after all these years, veteran opposition party
leader Chiam See Tong could present only his wife as a replacement
for him in Potong Pasir, his long-held single-seat ward.
As for the relatively new Reform Party set up by the late
opposition veteran J.B. Jeyaretnam's son, Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, it
seems to be losing key party members quicker than it can replace
them.
Parties that fail on any of the above prerequisites will lose
out in the polls contest and be cast aside, almost forgotten for
the next five years or so.
Algene Hong
