Election Results

The elections are finally over and the results are in.

Against the expectations of most people, the PAP obtained an improved 65% share of the votes. The number had been expected to drop to the high 50s.

A number of close fights that were expected did not materialize. BP turned out to be a non event. West Coast was the same. Overall PSP did badly and they lost their 2 NCMPs. This is going to be a big problem for them as the 2 NCMPs gave them profile and voice in Parliament. That is gone.

WP did alright. It maintained its total number of seats and was very close in 2 other seats. But everyone was expecting them to do much better. In addition to their 10 seats, they also get the 2 NCMP seats, which will give 2 younger WP members a chance to do well and profile themselves.

So what happens now…This was a strange election. People had so many issues they were complaining about. Even the PAP was afraid that this was not the best of times to go into an election. Despite all this, they improved their vote share.

Are there any lessons to be drawn from this or are we just sui generis? Is such a state of affairs good in the long term for a country? Does it matter anyway?