The National Solidarity Party’s (NSP) surprise U-turn to contest MacPherson SMC is unlikely to spark a knock-on effect among opposition parties to break rank and enter into three-cornered fights.

Most indicated yesterday that they will stick to their word and avoid such battles in the coming polls, a pledge they made at talks led by the NSP earlier this month.

They include the Reform Party (RP), People’s Power Party (PPP), Singapore People’s Party (SPP), Democratic Progressive Party, Singapore Democratic Alliance, as well as Singaporeans First (SingFirst).

… National University of Singapore political scientist Bilveer Singh agrees, adding that the episode shows that “after 50 years, the opposition is more energetic in killing itself than its opponent”.