Its Not Just George

Several observers have written to scrap the Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and advocated a return to Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) as a result of the recent general election. Instead this election has proven that GRCs are no longer an obstacle to Opposition parties seeking to enter office.

Most repeat the fact that minority candidate Michael Palmer managed to win in an SMC, however, I beg to differ as this was a case of an incumbent who had a proven grassroots track record in the area.

In fact, the 11th hour Workers Party (WP) candidate managed 41 per cent compared to the SDA’s Desmond Lim who in spite of working the ground for the past few years, lost his deposit. Had the WP candidate declared her candidacy earlier, I believe Palmer would have lost. In fact even a dummy in WP colors would fare better!

Thus, while calls to scrap GRCs seem a popular sentiment, it would be ironic and extremely fool hardly for the PAP to change the system, as any further tweaks would certainly not endear them to an electorate suddenly aware that they have something else to mark other than a 4-D slip.

Many also voice that this election has shown that GRCs can be the fastest way for the ruling party to lose important candidates such as ministers and promising candidates. Everyone laments the loss of FM George Yeo and reasons that if fielded in an SMC, he would have won handsomely. Does this mean that in order to save Ministers from the vote, we should place them in SMCs, this is not real democracy. 

While George Yeo is a capable minister, I wonder how many Singaporeans were truly aware of his accomplishments in office if Low Thia Khiang and the WP had not contested Aljunied GRC and turned it into a national issue and eventually voting him out.

Would the public feel better if DPM Teo Chee Hean or Labour Chief Lim Swee Say were voted out instead?

We have a capable team of ministers, including those who have recently retired and it would be unfair to champion one while ignoring the contributions of the other men and woman who have ensured the stability and prosperity of our nation.

The lower winning average in this general election for the PAP is simply the result of pent-up frustrations of a population suddenly given an avenue by a large supply of acceptable opposition candidates to be their voice in parliament. If this trend of myopic self-fulfillment continues, I believe the PAP will lose power by the next election and if that happens, I sincerely hope that autopilot switch actually works!!