WP's fictional First World Parliament

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Apr 19, 2011
WP's fictional First World Parliament
MS SYLVIA Lim's attempt to explain what the Workers' Party is saying exposes the inconsistencies in the WP's position ('What First World Parliament means: Sylvia'; April 15).
Ms Lim, astonishingly, says that WP's vision of a First World Parliament has no reference to any particular developed country! It is obvious why she refuses to name any specific country - there is no successful model that she can point to.

On the other hand, there are numerous examples of multi-party legislatures stuck in gridlock and engaged in political theatre, while governance, the economy and the people suffer.
The WP paints a picture of a Parliament in which it would simply act as a check on the Government, in order to help it govern better. The WP would, so it says, act only in the national interests, leaving aside party interests.
No such opposition party exists anywhere in the world, because any party with such an agenda is effectively resigning itself to never being in power or forming a government.
Indeed this is contrary to what the WP says it eventually wants to do, and to the stances its MPs have taken in Parliament up to now.
If the WP really only wants to speak up in Parliament and question government policies, and act as a check on the Government, then the Non-Constituency MP scheme provides for exactly that. But in truth, the WP wants more MPs in Parliament to form a base for greater electoral success in the future.
They will act as a bloc to bargain with the Government. They will also seek to block constitutional amendments - thereby again preventing effective governance. Ms Lim has said as much publicly.
This is exactly what we see in the United States, Taiwan, Belgium and other similar systems, which the WP claims it does not have in mind.
The result? Policies which would benefit the people cannot get passed. Many thoughtful American observers lament that this is happening in the US right now. In reality, the WP's vision is a 'Fictional World Parliament'.
Indranee Rajah (Ms)
People's Action Party
FORUM NOTE: The writer is an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_658319.html


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Responded to by:
21Apr2011: If a First World govt is possible, so too a First World Parliament
21Apr2011: NCMP scheme has no precedent either.
21Apr2011: Three problems with single-party democracy
21Apr2011: His view of a First World Parliament
21Apr2011: Let's have a First World political debate
21Apr2011: What makes a valid opposition

Discussed at:
19Apr2011: WP's fictional First World Parliament