Opposition

I'm not pro opposition, nor pro ruling party. My vote is to the candidate(s) who can give the best for my ward. Simple as that.

With that, let me say it here first: this is the year the opposition will make the biggest gains in the elections since Singapore's independence.

The ruling party will be left stunned by the dismal results.

Here's why.

1. New Media
It was touted to change the game back in 2006, but it didn't change the outcome. This time around, its different. The people have gotten accustomed to using the internet to find out, verify and disspell myths and rumours. Showing your support for the other side or dismay at the ruling party is easy as clicking a Like button.

2. Less Fear
Were you one of those who got a chance to vote, then abstained because you were afraid the ruling party could track you and you never believed your vote was secret? There were tons of people like that! Well, this time around the skepticism has subsided. There is a more common herd to follow, and whether the vote is secret or not, many will not care less any further. That's because so many more people are freely declaring their vote to the monkey ("put a monkey there I will also vote for the monkey!"). How many times have you heard that in the last 3 months?

3. A Better Quality Oppositon
No more James Gomez integrity issues or Steve Chia nude pix. Now we have a slate of well-heeled, smart and able class of opposition candidates willing to take the fight to the ruling party. From scholars to ex top civil servants to brilliant top level executives, this new generation will fight on a leveller playing field. Names like Vincent Wijaysingha, Tan Jee Say, Chen Show Mao and even the young Nicole Seah are some to watch. It gives people even more confidence to vote for them.

4. Signs Of A Weakening Ruling Party
All does not seem well in the ruling party when their best and brightest spew the same rhetoric as they have done so arrogently over years of walkover elections, and contradicting each other in the process. Whether crying in a press conference or trying to sound like a meek alternative voice(group think?) is just scripted, staged or even real, the electorate is getting tired of the whining and distraction. Enough is enough as far as ignoring the real issues on the ground and giving repeated non-answers go. Worst yet is the rhetoric from the main man himself, the prodigal son, whose excuses, ducking of real issues and rinse-and-repeat answers are so lame and scripted it makes the old local drama VR Man sound more exciting. You know you've got issues when your predecessor distances himself from you.

5. A Fully Voting Electorate
Never underestimate the herd mentality. Even the 'fixed deposit' wards can be lost in a wave of alternate demand. This will be the first time since independance that almost all eligible Singaporeans will get to vote. And a lot of people out there have got an axe to grind.

The dissatisfaction and activism on the ground is very real and from the way I see it, the ruling party's reponses have left much to be desired up until this point. Revising from an earlier blog post, I now think the opposition can actually win at least 4 GRCs and 6 SMCs.

Watch this space. You heard it here first.