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GE2020: Fair or Foul?
Singapores 2020 general election saw its fair share of drama and comedy, and the results were not unexpected. But beyond the polls, the hard truth is impossible to avoidthe electoral system is in dire need of an overhaul.
Former journalist and university lecturer Bertha Henson takes you through the days leading up to 10 July 2020 and peels back the veneer of Singapore politics. Aided by a team of NUS undergraduates, she draws on her past experience covering Singapores polls to give you a blow-by-blow account of the campaign, and some cold truths about the political playing field.
Former journalist and university lecturer Bertha Henson takes you through the days leading up to 10 July 2020 and peels back the veneer of Singapore politics. Aided by a team of NUS undergraduates, she draws on her past experience covering Singapores polls to give you a blow-by-blow account of the campaign, and some cold truths about the political playing field.
- GenresNonfiction
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2021
8 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Bertha Henson
4 books4 followersBertha Henson worked in the Singapore Press Holdings stable of newspapers for 26 years, her last designation being Associate Editor of The Straits Times, Singapore’s national broadsheet. In 2012, she left the organisation to start her own media consultancy, Newsmakers, and to teach at the National University of Singapore. She is Journalist-in-residence at Tembusu College in NUS. She started blogging at Bertha Harian the day after she left SPH employment and launched Breakfast Network, a semi-professional news and views website with friends and undergraduates in early 2013. The website closed its operations at the end of the year because she and fellow editors declined to meet registration requirements imposed by the Media Development Authority. She still blogs at Bertha Harian and The Middle Ground.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 15, 2022
Almost two years after the general election here in Singapore back in 2020, it’s quite timely to have read this book to learn from the perspective of a journalist. What I particularly enjoyed in the book is how the author question the normative of how our democratic system is in its current form. From how the SMC turned into GRC, the role of NCMPs, the role of MPs as Advisors to the community clubs and MP's role in town councils. These are things I guess I often take for granted but I thought it was insightful read, especially on the role of MPs in town council may be seen as a "Glorified Sai Kang Warrior".
The author also took the opportunity to express her view on the use of POFMA, how the social media "fights" are happening thru the trolls / keyboard warriors of both the ruling and opposition parties. The book, nearing its end, also helps readers to rethink what "strong mandate" means when the incumbent party has during GE2020 asked to be given the "strong mandate" to continue to Govern... from almost 70% in 2015 to about 61% in 2020, does it still have its people's support to do what it wants?
Personally, I find it quite insightful on how the NCMPs scheme are constantly being amended. In fact, it help to get me thinking that we are actually giving seats to people who are actually already being rejected by the peoples' vote. So why are there so much efforts still being spent there? Thought provoking.
While the author has the view that the ruling party is capable of running the country, it did suggest that some level of hubris has set in. To an extend, it does feel like the ruling party is now "leading infront of the people" instead of "leading with the people". A big difference in style, where the later is something that is now ever more needed than before given the level of education and information access we have now. Personally, I am also mindful the need to balance this with getting things done (which many other countries have failed) so that our MPs and our Government, don't end up just being people pleasers. A delicate balance and a thankless job I might add.
In the book's conclusion, the author suggested a few recommendations for the ruling party to consider as a new playbook with this new generation of voters:
1) How the electoral boundaries should be reviewed, and who the committee should report to.
2) Reviewing if the purpose of GRC still serve it purpose as it was set out to do. Or perhaps to start tapering that down.
3) Details of poll results on how each of the MP perform. This will help reduce any MPs potentially just riding on the coat tail of a good one. It also helps to get individual MPs to work harder.
4) Keeping the rules of NCMPs the same. There is no longer need to change it.
5) The evolution of POFMA and how to make it more fair.
6) Reviewing the role of People's Association in the grassroots network
Strongly recommend to read. :)
The author also took the opportunity to express her view on the use of POFMA, how the social media "fights" are happening thru the trolls / keyboard warriors of both the ruling and opposition parties. The book, nearing its end, also helps readers to rethink what "strong mandate" means when the incumbent party has during GE2020 asked to be given the "strong mandate" to continue to Govern... from almost 70% in 2015 to about 61% in 2020, does it still have its people's support to do what it wants?
Personally, I find it quite insightful on how the NCMPs scheme are constantly being amended. In fact, it help to get me thinking that we are actually giving seats to people who are actually already being rejected by the peoples' vote. So why are there so much efforts still being spent there? Thought provoking.
While the author has the view that the ruling party is capable of running the country, it did suggest that some level of hubris has set in. To an extend, it does feel like the ruling party is now "leading infront of the people" instead of "leading with the people". A big difference in style, where the later is something that is now ever more needed than before given the level of education and information access we have now. Personally, I am also mindful the need to balance this with getting things done (which many other countries have failed) so that our MPs and our Government, don't end up just being people pleasers. A delicate balance and a thankless job I might add.
In the book's conclusion, the author suggested a few recommendations for the ruling party to consider as a new playbook with this new generation of voters:
1) How the electoral boundaries should be reviewed, and who the committee should report to.
2) Reviewing if the purpose of GRC still serve it purpose as it was set out to do. Or perhaps to start tapering that down.
3) Details of poll results on how each of the MP perform. This will help reduce any MPs potentially just riding on the coat tail of a good one. It also helps to get individual MPs to work harder.
4) Keeping the rules of NCMPs the same. There is no longer need to change it.
5) The evolution of POFMA and how to make it more fair.
6) Reviewing the role of People's Association in the grassroots network
Strongly recommend to read. :)
February 23, 2021
I gave this stars, when actually it deserves five. The “loss” in 1 star is because much of the articles in the book has been earlier published during GE2020 hustling.
Henson writes intelligently, and makes pointed arguments to argue her case. I really enjoyed that. She calls it as it is, not fearing what the pap nor the opposition would think of her. That’s why she is so special: what you see is what you get. No pussy footing around sensitive issues with totally motherhood statements.
If you are into politics in singapore, Henson is always worth a read. Even if you don’t agree with her, what she writes will invariably challenge you to ponder your own positions on matters.
Henson writes intelligently, and makes pointed arguments to argue her case. I really enjoyed that. She calls it as it is, not fearing what the pap nor the opposition would think of her. That’s why she is so special: what you see is what you get. No pussy footing around sensitive issues with totally motherhood statements.
If you are into politics in singapore, Henson is always worth a read. Even if you don’t agree with her, what she writes will invariably challenge you to ponder your own positions on matters.
April 3, 2021
A comprehensive evaluation of GE2020 and Singapore’s political climate
September 8, 2021
This was a book that promised much but failed to deliver, although it did raise several concerns that I was previously unaware of unsure of, such as the connection between the MPs and the Grassroots organisations in opposition wards.
As this was a collection of mostly previously-published essays categorised by theme, there was quite a lot of repetition across essays, and I wish that the editing process was done better to account for that. I also found the writing to be quite disappointing, as it was largely narrative, and the arguments and opinions came across as insipid and banal. I thought it would be similar to Air Conditioned Nation Revisited in its quality, but I was left very disappointed. George is clearly in a class of his own.
As this was a collection of mostly previously-published essays categorised by theme, there was quite a lot of repetition across essays, and I wish that the editing process was done better to account for that. I also found the writing to be quite disappointing, as it was largely narrative, and the arguments and opinions came across as insipid and banal. I thought it would be similar to Air Conditioned Nation Revisited in its quality, but I was left very disappointed. George is clearly in a class of his own.
February 19, 2021
Easy read for those following the politics of Singapore. Covers some of the burning question and challenges our thoughts on the current political system. Nice touch to include the chapters together with a relevant article published in the papers.
July 17, 2021
It's more a collection of aiche about ge2020. Some good insights from one who has had significant experience covering local elections. Nothing is truly fair in politics.
June 5, 2022
3.5 stars
(Many of the pieces were alr previously published elsewhere eg on her blog etc)
(Many of the pieces were alr previously published elsewhere eg on her blog etc)
January 20, 2025
timely read!
June 15, 2021
A good read. Shows how the scale is tilted towards the incumbent ruling party.
December 29, 2025
Some good essays in there about the incumbent’s advantage in electoral politics and Henson’s experience of reporting political rallies etc.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews