Will there be change or business as usual?

As I watched the various victory speeches and the PM's Press Conference last night I kept hearing the phrase "it's now time to put aside our differences and come together" - a common appeal and rallying call at the end of elections regardless of the country concerned.

In the last few days, Singaporeans have been boldly vocal about their unhappiness with the way things have been. This led the ruling party (represented by the PM) to acknowledge that mistakes have been made and to apologize. Ministers have said no government is perfect and that they will "improve". The Foreign Minister (now former Foreign Minister) George Yeo even promised reform within the party - but he's now out.

All this makes me wonder whether we're all at cross purposes - what does the promise to "right what is wrong" and "improve" mean?

Does it mean that changes will be made to the ruling party's policies which the people are concerned and/or angry about or struggling with? (eg rising cost of living/housing, ministerial salaries, too many foreigners, etc) Or does it mean that they will change the system to entrench themselves and their policies further and make it more difficult to oppose, challenge or cope with them.

Do PM's comments and references to "difficult decisions and trade-offs which governing Singapore involves" perhaps carry an undertone of "there there, you've aired your grievances. We've heard what you had to say. But it's now time for you to fall in line. Our minds are made up and decisions have been or will be made. We know what's best - there are bigger, more important things than just you that you don't understand"?

I wonder.

So will there be change or business as usual?

I guess only time will tell....

- Posted using my iPhone