In recent times, it seems as though this amorphous, ambiguous quality of ‘’ is what shapes social policy for the PAP. Of course, I’m referring to Minister Heng Swee Keat’s recent comments that older Singaporeans are “ not ready for a non-Chinese PM ”.

Minister Heng said that with full knowledge of polls that indicate most Singaporeans would support Deputy Prime Minister Tharman for the top job. He buttresses his argument with the unshakable anecdotal evidence of “my own experience walking the ground”.

The reality is, of course, that public opinion has sometimes not been on the side of the government, but since when has that ever mattered?

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, to look at the historical context of readiness.