This election promises to be one of the most closely contested in Singapore’s history. In part, this is a result of a generational shift: because of the drastic increase in contests, swathes of the electorate in their twenties and thirties are voting for the first time. For them, the PAP is neither legendary nor infallible, and holds no mystic control over them. They criticize the government on Facebook, stand for elections as opposition candidates, and have no fear that they put the cross in the wrong box.

PM Lee Hsien Loong looks on as DPM Teo Chee Hean snaps a photo at a lunchtime rally at Boat Quay. The PAP faces a tech-savvy and more rebellious generation of voters. (Hester Tan, Channel NewsAsia)

Yet, perhaps as a reaction to a PAP we believe is monolithic and uncompromising, we may have inherited their tradition of chronic intolerance of diverging views. There have been countless examples – it is impossible to agree with Mah Bow Tan in a local forum without being called a stooge for The Party, or even irrational. The PAP was right in the past because its policies were effective and were proven so, not because they were the PAP. Nor can opposition supporters discredit an idea just because it coheres with the PAP’s stance. None of us here have a monopoly on reason. Surely we can disagree while recognizing valid points on both sides?

Party alignment is a curious thing: it polarizes the public, marginalizes the undecided, and ultimately forces you to accept a set of policies not because they are best for society, but because they were proposed by a certain party. Dismiss those who propose, and implement, failed policies. Vote for policies that work.