An election gimmick that didn't quite work the first time round.
The same election gimmick used yet again this year.
Gentle readers, I refer not to the "by-election" strategy in this post, but the Whiteshirt "lifting of the whip" strategy.
This year, Mr Peanut Goh has promised to allow Messrs Eric Low and Seetoh Yih Pin, the challengers in the opposition-held Hougang and Potong Pasir ridings, freedom from the party whip in the next Parliament if voters deliver these two long-time oppo wards to the Whiteshirts.
Never mind that some political experts in the Channelnewsasia article see Peanut Goh's move as inconsistent, unprincipled, and damaging Whiteshirt credibility and party discipline - we've been here before. Cue to the previous general election, where Mr Peanut Goh promised to select new MPs to form a Shadow Cabinet to keep policymakers on their toes.
When criticised during the recent General Elections of a lack of checks and balances on the Government, PM Goh Chok Tong had this response - the People's Action Forum. The group, described by the PM as a Shadow Cabinet, is to ensure more debate in parliament. However, unlike other countries where the Shadow Cabinet is formed by the Opposition, Singapore's Shadow Cabinet will be drawn from the ruling party, with 20 PAP MPs and Ministers serving a 2-year run. The Party whip will be lifted so they don't have to toe the party line and can even vote against party decisions.
Whither Peanut Goh's Shadow Cabinet today?
I am surprised that our Sr. Minister, Mr. Goh Chok Tong, a person with intellect, can offer such a fantastic proposal to lift a 'restricted' party whip for his two colleagues with a view to winning back the two opposition constituencies. In so doing, I believe he has unwittingly caused unhappiness to his party colleagues, and insulted the intelligence of the voters in Hougang and Potong Pasir particularly. We must remember that a spade is always a spade by whatever name we call it, and his party colleagues may ask why shoud the two potential candidates be given special privilege.
ReplyDeleteThe point is he tried the same stunt the previous election, promising to lift the whip for 20 MPs and ministers to form their shadow cabinet.
ReplyDeleteBroken promises! Tired, recycled strategies! Thank you for not voting!
He said he CARES for the upgrading of the 2 oppo areas. Next minute, he was featured in the news and he said Toa Payoh Lor 8 (belongs to Potong Pasir constituency) is old and not worthwhile to upgrade?????
ReplyDeleteMoreover, the neighbourhood estate(belonging to his own constituency) is situated in b/w these 2 oppo areas do not seem to be better off than the oppo areas.
So, do you think he really cares???
"I would want to form an alternative policies group in Parliament, comprising 20 PAP MPs. These 20 PAP MPs will be free to vote in accordance with what they think of a particular policy. In other words, the whip for them will be lifted. This is not playing politics, this is something which I think is worthwhile doing."
ReplyDelete- PM Goh during 2001 Elections
"If you sing Jailhouse Rock with your electric guitar when others are playing Beethoven, you are out of order. The whip must be used on you."
- PM Goh in Parliamentr in 2002
"Mr Goh says he will push for the party whip to be lifted so that PAP's candidate Eric Low can speak up, if elected.
- SM Goh in 2006
The more he opens his bigmouth singing the same tune,
ReplyDeletethe more voters get tired of the same tricks. Suggest the 2 PAP candidates standup for themselves.
SM Goh is becoming a big joke and
a liability
it is amazing that PAP wants to be its own opposition; I guess it already controls everything, and still wants something more
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous at 11.20: Come now, he's just following the pattern of the other SM =D
ReplyDeleteSm Goh Cock Tong's prostrate and penis is growing to big for him, say tight that he had to talk cock in order to release the gas in his cock. He talk so much controversial cock recently including creating a fake opposition that just wayang a few times and then still return to the party's interest again. He made a lot of promises like Swiss standard of living, upgrading here and there and fake opposition. Then what come out is actually increase GST to 5% by 2003, ERP, increase tertiary tuition fees and fares hikes of MRT and buses. He is trying to kelong the elections don't fall into his cock or trap.
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