‘SDP AND NSP SHOULD MERGE’: TAN JEE SAY
By Harold Chen
Contributor
The Singapore Democratic Party’s “star candidate”, Mr Tan Jee Say, has suggested that the SDP should consider a merger with the National Solidarity Party so as bring about greater unity within the opposition as well as to strengthen and consolidate both parties.
Mr Tan, whose team in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC managed to obtain just under 40% of the votes, was formerly a senior civil servant and chief aide to Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. Both the NSP and SDP failed to win any seats in the recent general election, while the Workers’ Party managed to win 6 seats.
Speaking to the Chinese-language Shin Min Daily, Mr Tan said: “It is possible that the SDP and NSP could merge to create a stronger presence. This would enable both parties to tap on the professional expertise and experience of both sets of candidates, to provide different perspectives and voices for greater diversity and representation.”
Mr Tan said that the NSP has a more “Chinese towkay” image, whereas the SDP has a more Westernised, liberal image, which raises the possibility that a merger might lead to more efficient consolidation of resources. He said that he had no regrets in joining the SDP, as its strong economic policy platform allowed him to put forward his own economic proposals. He also confirmed that he will be contesting the next general election in 2016.
He admitted that while the idea of a merger between the SDP and NSP was viable, there were “practical concerns” that had to be addressed before it could actually take place.
He added that his personal focus would be geared towards a deeper analysis of housing and transportation issues, followed by healthcare and education. He said that he would also be looking into raising funds for his research.
The original Shin Min article (in Chinese) can be viewed here.
http://satayclub.net/2011/05/sdp-and-nsp-should-merge-tan-jee-say/
Merge or no Merge not much difference.
Look at china and hkg, just the same as our oppositon parties.
They merge, one party (a new name and logo) two , three or four policies.
If every parties can merge together to become a one solid opposition.
They can merge, but CSJ has to go.
Otherwise, NSP and SPP are better off combining together. After all these 2 were SDA founding members.
one of the weakest opposition is SDP - the GY chuan stench is what i hate of the opposition. moreover their politicians and candidates really low charisma. if NSP merge with them NSP or the future of opposition is gone to square 1. NSP should recruit more better candidates for next election. key people like goh meng seng, steve chia, tony tan and nicole seah are some popular faces amongst oppositions already.
SDP should go find some other places to lick their own wounds and stop leeching and pulling down opposition fame
I favour 2 main opposition parties. If there is a lawsuit or scandal the whole opposition won't be brought down.
WP, SPP and NSP2 among themselves.
SDP and RP- well they can merge, it doesn't matter to me. I don't dislike CSJ, to me he is standing on principle. But these parties have bad rap among Singaporeans. Even the better candidates among them are tainted by mere association.
One guy do wrong, stupid Singaporeans slam the whole party. Which is why opposition should be united in stand, separate in name.
2 losers dun make a winner.
credibility and virtue are also important elements in addition to the qualifications in our political arena.
dun think TJS should be in politic just becoz he has the qualifications or for self-complacency.
we dun need another party similar to the incumbent where we will be having difficulty in voting them out
of course. if the guy is at the party's helm and he can decide then his crooked ideas only serves to bring the whole party down. SDP must be seeing the good in other oppos to want to tap the juice from them by proposing a merger. please lah lost votes in election already don't make it worse by losing more the next election, worse dragging other opposition down with them also.
What our MM said in the past - 2 strange fellows sharing the same bed?
THREE major opposition parties are in talks to strengthen inter-party cooperation and are looking at various options, ranging from having a loose alliance to even possibly a merger.
If the National Solidarity Party (NSP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), and Singapore People's Party (SPP) successfully pull it off, they would pose a challenge to the main opposition party, the Workers' Party (WP), and the People's Action Party (PAP).
SDP's Mr Tan Jee Say, who contested in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, confirmed yesterday that he met NSP secretary-general Goh Meng Seng on Monday and they talked 'about all kinds of cooperation, not excluding the idea of a merger'.
He added: 'The parties are looking into sharing resources, personnel, supporters and candidates.' SDP leader Chee Soon Juan told The Straits Times separately: 'We are happy to work with all opposition parties to achieve our objective of strengthening the opposition in Singapore.'
http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_667349.html
They're not together still
Manifesto shows the divide
CST won't be that stupid to work with CSJ again. Once bitten twice shy. Unless Ben Pwee takes over SPP leadership and is willing to give CSJ a chance to prove himself.
Originally posted by Vote PAP OUT to Save SG:If the National Solidarity Party (NSP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), and Singapore People's Party (SPP) successfully pull it off, they would pose a challenge to the main opposition party, the Workers' Party (WP), and the People's Action Party (PAP).
Hope they don't squabble when they elected. Rather trust the party with proven track record and succession/renewal system.
Originally posted by Redwhite spore:Hope they don't squabble when they elected. Rather trust the party with proven track record and succession/renewal system.
Lee Hsien Loong said PAP has made mistakes, George Yeo said the PAP must transform, Lim Hwee Hua said the transformation must be of substance and not just of style. You still clinging to this.
Originally posted by Redwhite spore:Hope they don't squabble when they elected. Rather trust the party with proven track record and succession/renewal system.
i'll take it you're not a troll..
track record? yes.. the past 10 years of refusing to listen to the electorate culminating in a desperate apology by the PM, threats by a geriatric old dude who is the PM's father, frantic "we'll change" by one who was defeated.. track record..
towards stagnated mediocrity...
and as for your succession plans, think about this: in this GE, notice the MIW were unable to get anyone who was of real calibre, having to resort to "top civil servants", some iffy guy whose father the ISD threw in prison, a bimbo, a man 57 year old man who "took over" a "retiring" 54 year old man?
this is a party in decline, in decay...
take this an a wake up call to cut our the cancers in the party, to remove the dead wood, to throw out the hangers-on...
just like the WP did with James Gomez who scuttled 2 of their elections...
(surprise surprise, who took in Gomez after that?)
May I add, kept on life support by the GRC system, gerrymandering and the wholesale importation of votes.
Originally posted by the Bear:and as for your succession plans, think about this: a man 57 year old man who "took over" a "retiring" 54 year old man?
just like the WP did with James Gomez who scuttled 2 of their elections...
What's wrong in James Chong going down to Joo Chiat to serve the residents there? What's wrong being 57 years old?U call this decay & decline?
As for James, never thought well of this chap anyway
Originally posted by Redwhite spore:
What's wrong in James Chong going down to Joo Chiat to serve the residents there? What's wrong being 57 years old?U call this decay & decline?As for James, never thought well of this chap anyway
Please do not ignore the rest of what is said by our very leaders.
All opposition parties should merge to form a united coaliation to challenge PAP one on one.
Forging close cooperation is good enough, merger is problematic.
More choices also for young people who are interested to join.
Looks like for the next election, there are still some scores or unfinished business to settle. Lots of new stuff creeping up. ;)
Originally posted by Almond Cookies:All opposition parties should merge to form a united coaliation to challenge PAP one on one.
look at the opposition.. even the one sailing with an even keel has its selfish dolts... all because of an NCMP seat...
what they all need to do is to throw out these egomaniacs... but then, the majority of politicians are drawn to politics because they are egomaniacs...
they merge.. and changes are they'll expand their weaknesses and not have any advantages...
it'll be better if those few opposition parties realise how idiotic they are, how distracting they are to the issues at hand, and fold...
i think the opoositions are seeing better candidates and a better fight this GE2011. its not for the sake of oppopsing but voicing out the disgrunt of people, the flaws of policies, the bad irresposnsible mamagemment at ground level.
for thos oppositon who think of merger and bring their own shit to other oppositions they like the lightning should be booted out. see what the lighting team has to do now. lots of media reporting their remorse and repent, but what will happen remains to be seen. rettired? rather holding their own stronghold now at marine parade and tanjong pagar. who knows need GE some hellrider may contest tg pagar, a marine parade's a risk with NSP so near and breathing down the nexks of TPL's team hahhahaha can't wait for next GE if the lightning team stillpersiste with their old fashion out of date por alien policie