Bobby Jindal is a smart guy. His academic credentials are impeccable and he is one of the youngest former congressman and governor. As expected of a person of his intellect Bobby’s opinion article in the Wall Street Journal today was a well written piece on why he is voting for Trump despite his earlier criticisms. But his arguments ring hollow. It is amazing how politicians can obliviously change their position without the slightest embarrassment for their earlier statements. Trump does not need Jindal’s endorsement and there will be no shortage of political sycophants who would join his bandwagon if they stand to gain from a Trump Presidency.

Time and again Trump had demonstrated that his appeal only increases when he disregards establishment politicians. Many political pundits have made a big deal of the swing to the left in American politics. They miss the point. The swing is not a shift from the conservative end of the pendulum to the liberal but a revolt against politicians. Politics should be a noble profession as it impacts the lives of people in profound ways. The low standing of politicians in America is due to their lack of credibility. The voters do not trust politicians who easily justify changing their position when it is expedient and do not carry out their election promises.

Trump could disappear from the American political scene like a shooting star but his role as the catalyst who brought change to the American political scene will be remembered for years to come. It is no longer acceptable for politicians to be members of a cosy club detached from the  majority. Politicians will have to choose their agenda carefully when they are held accountable for results and not just rhetoric.  People are attracted to Trump not because they believe he is  reliable but because he exposes the weaknesses of establishment politicians. The odds of Trump becoming the next President of the US is  thankfully low and even if he did he cannot be as effective as he brags. But Trump has earned his stripes as a formidable fighter taking down multiple opponents who assumed he was no match for them.

The next cohort of GOP leaders that replace this vanquished lot will have Trump to thank for accelerating their ascent. The voters want office bearers who work for their interest and not those that engage in partisan politics and risk another gridlock in the legislature. Ultimately politics is not a game but a serious business. Only those that have the commitment to serve and the capability to make a difference to the lives of their voters should seek elected office. By exposing the opportunism of establishment politicians and their near total rejection by voters the 2016 American Presidential election may be the forum for real change. Politicians must regain the trust they lost by reconnecting with their constituents and work hard to serve them.

In a strange manner Trump’s  bluster and insulting campaign maybe the ticket to a much needed reform in American politics!

Either side of the political divide, PAP or SDP  can predict a win for their party in the Bukit Batok by-election. The PAP is still basking from the strong mandate it received at the last general election, the personal popularity of the prime minister, still fresh memories of SG50 and a humble and sincere candidate who had done many years of grassroots service in Bukit Batok. The SDP has in it’s favor the by-election effect, a surprisingly strong mandate for the PAP in the last general election, sympathy for the underdog candidate and Chee Soon Juan’s new image as a moderate and reasonable politician.

For the SDP it is critical to win at the by-election to secure a toe hold in Parliament and have the opportunity of promoting it’s views on how to create a more caring society. The PAP can afford to try a different approach in this by-election. Instead of pummeling the opposition candidate it should take the high ground and run a gentlemanly campaign. This does not imply that the PAP is getting soft but signals that it is confident of Murali Pillai. It is therefore rather surprising the Prime Minister lambasted Chee Soon Juan. Character assassination is a sign of weakness and not strength for the PAP. As the stronger political party the PAP should set the example by steering the debate to issues and policies and refrain from character assassination. By focusing on Chee Soon Juan’s character  the PAP provided the SDP with the opportunity to retaliate and  win many undecided voters.

Murali is a good candidate who has earned the respect of Singaporeans. He last contested in what was perceived to be a no hope GRC and did remarkably well. Lee Hsien Loong himself said Murali would have been an MP if his ward of Paya Lebar had been a single member constituency. The PAP cannot practice double standards here. Ministers should avoid making personal comments and highlighting the racial angle when they speak at PAP rallies. The PAP should just let Murali run the show and win plaudits for running a clean and fair by-election campaign that will surprise even the PAP critics. He stands a fair chance of winning in Bukit Batok and the PAP will win many more supporters in Singapore for the next general election.

Chee Soon Juan would now look good even if he lost the by-election because he persevered against the full weight of the PAP establishment instead of squaring off against Murali. It is flattering to the SDP that Lee Hsien Loong would be concerned if Chee Soon Juan is elected.  The statement is perhaps a tribute to Chee Soon Juan and he should be honored by the Prime Minister’s anxiety. If Chee Soon Juan were to make it to parliament he should not be such a threat to the PAP. The PAP would still have an overwhelming majority of 82 seats out of 89 seats in parliament. There would be more debate in Parliament and a counter weight to the Workers Party as the only opposition voice in parliament. The PAP members of parliament can challenge Chee Soon Juan in parliament and expose the weakness of his ideas if they are poorly constructed.

In the long-term it is inevitable that there will be greater diversity in Singapore politics and the dominance of the PAP will be diluted. The PAP had done a tremendous job in the last 57 years. Even if not as dominant in the future it can continue in government for many more years. It is time for the PAP to prepare for this eventuality. It must  reinvigorate the party with new members who uphold it’s core values and can  effectively engage a stronger opposition. That was the PAP in it’s early years when it prevailed against formidable forces who had very different ideas for the future of Singapore. It appears that the success of the PAP had sown the seed of it’s own weakness. The PAP should not be threatened by a strong and credible opposition. It must be a party of dedicated and capable leaders  who are able to effectively connect with the ground. They must get buy in for the PAP’s roadmap even when there is a plethora of choices facing the electorate. The opposition parties must also be able to attract leaders of calibre  who are able to present different ideas. The voters are sophisticated enough to discern which candidates have integrity and can deliver the promise.

For the long term good of Singapore the inevitable battle between the PAP and resurgent opposition parties in future must be a clash of ideas and approach and not a battle between the only good guys and the bad.