Possible Merger of NSP and SDP

Re: TODAYonline | Singapore | NSP, SDP eye possible merger

In other words, this is a potential merger of the 2 major Ang Mo Pai opposition parties in Singapore

Before we jump to conclusions, let's revisit the profiles of these 2 parties.

Party	Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)	National Solidarity Party (NSP)
Started in	1980	1987
Party Website	yoursdp.org	nsp.sg
Current Party Line	PARTY OBJECTS 1) To eliminate all forms of authoritarianism; to uphold democratic principles and institutionalize democratic practices. 2) To build an economically stable and progressive nation based on the free market system where private entrepreneurship is encouraged and direct Government participation in business is minimized. 3) To foster a vibrant and dynamic society based on pluralism and diversity; to replace elitism with free competition and equal opportunity for all Singaporeans especially in the area of education; to remove all policies that discriminate against the less fortunate, women and minorities; to do away with excessive regulation that stifles innovation, creativity, and adventurism. 4) To restore a proper system of checks-and-balance in the polity and to ensure the independence of the judiciary; to encourage Singaporeans to participate in the nation’s political process; to respect human, civil, and political rights of Singaporeans; to achieve a free-flow of information in the society.	IDEOLOGY & PRINCIPLES 1) Political Ideology The National Solidarity Party (NSP) is a democratic, pragmatic and progressive political Party that treasures nationalistic values towards the building of an Open Society – A Society for All. 2) Party Core Values NSP believes in the human potential, dignity and rights of all People, regardless of race, language or religion. The Party is committed towards the building of a more open, dynamic, vibrant and inclusive Society through the democratic process. The Party values the contributions of each and every Member towards the promotion of its political cause, and activates its core values through the Motto: Service to Society. 3) Mission Statement NSP exists to uphold democracy and to provide constructive ideas to benefit the Society. The Party subscribes to the establishment of a multi-partisan political system, and envisions to be a credible and caring government. 4) Party Objectives NSP shall build a pluralistic democracy by winning seats in parliamentary elections. The Party organizes and maintains an active ground presence with which to understand the People’s needs and concerns, and to provide a credible platform for the People to express their views, with the intention of influencing national policies. 5) Political Rights All Citizens should have the freedom to choose their political beliefs and association, and the right to vote freely without fear, coercion or discrimination by race, age, gender, occupation or belief. All electoral notifications and changes should be adequately publicized at least six months before the subsequent political election.
Current Party Image	Prior to GE2011 in May 2011, it was dominated by Dr Chee Sun Juan and his sister’s Chee Siok Chin’s antics, including demonstration outside of Istana, attempts to march, hunger strike etc. The image of SDP was in the gutters. Within 2 weeks of campaigning in GE2011, SDP has managed to turnaround its image from lunatic to dynamic by fielding an ‘A’ Team in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC with great credentials and inspiring speeches, creating Danny the Bear, keeping the Chees at bay etc. The party colour is red.	The Party image is neither clear nor memorable. Most members wear orange polo T-shirts, but Nicole Seah wears light pink shirts most of the time. In GE2011, Nicole Seah, together with her 2 former Reform Party mates and government scholars, Tony Tan and Hazel Poa, have raised the awareness and credibility of NSP.
Current Party Strength	Unknown	Unknown
Current Star Players	Vincent Wijeysingha Tan Jee Say Ang Yong Guan Michelle Lee Alec Tok	Nicole Seah Tony Tan Hazel Poa
Current Party Support	Established non-politicians such as Tan Kin Lian (former CEO of NTUC Income), AP Paul Tambyah (NUH) Also, significant support from local arts and theatre scene.	Fans of Nicole Seah, who are generally Gen Xers and Gen Yers.
Obvious Party weakness	Lack of appeal to heartlanders	Lack of general appeal

With this merger, it's effectively consolidating the English-speaking voters base, which do not support the current PAP.

IMPACT OF MERGER ON THE OPPOSITION LANDSCAPE
And by the next election, i.e. GE2016, I'm sure more former government scholars/public servants, and established individuals from the private sector will step up to join the Opposition. Given that most of these people are more educated Ang Mo Pai than heartlander workers, they are more likely to join the consolidated SDP+NSP, rather than Workers' Party (WP)..

Will the new SDP+NSP try to reach out to the more cheena voters, with more than Alec Tok's Beijinger-accented Mandarin alone?

Will WP cross the Ang Mo kio (pardon the pun, I couldn't resist it) to reach out to more middle-class English-speaking opposition voters by appealing to their cerebral ego?

Will WP attempt to redefine what a 'worker' is?

Will the new SDP+NSP be able to stabilise itself by GE2016 to achieve the kind of discipline exhibited by WP?

Will WP decide that it should simply merge with the merged SDP+NSP?

5 years is not a long time for so much work.

IMPACT OF MERGER ON SINGAPOREAN VOTERS
Regardless, I believe that if NSP and SDP do merge, this effectively segregates the Singaporean voters by social class.

The new SDP+NSP will become the alternative voice for middle-class Singaporeans, especially those in the East and those who like to watch TED.com to feel smarter.

WP can extend its coverage to become the preferred alternative voice for the cheena 'heartlander and worker' Singaporeans.

The PAP, if it continues to play the elite card and is unable to reinvent itself effectively, will in the long run become the exclusive preferred option of (i) those cluster-residing in District 9, 10, 11 and the expensive bits of District 21, like a gilded couture boutique, and of course, (ii) the new citizens.

As history and Karl Marx have pointed out to us again and again, class segregations are dicey.