WP ignores SDP’s overtures

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) announced that the Workers’ Party (WP) had turned down its invitation for talks to, among other things, prevent a three- or multi-cornered fight in the Punggol East by-election. SMU Assistant Professor of Law Eugene Tan said that the SDP was “trying to show that it is a stalwart of opposition unity and the WP is a laggard in this regard… Ironically, by publishing their correspondence with WP, it is almost certain that the meeting will take place without the WP represented.” He added that it was unlikely that the WP will step aside. "We should not hold our breath that the WP will not contest in the by-election. The WP views the other opposition parties as intruding in what is, rightfully, their turf," he said.