I want to thank A Concerned Singaporean for his feedback in his article I SUPPORT SDP BUT I ALSO THINK THERE'S ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.
The writer points out correctly that it is difficult to make "significant inroads in two GRCs in just 4 hours." This is why over and above these walkabouts, we conduct block parties, house visits, coffee sessions and townhall meetings on a regular basis. We been doing this over the past three-and-a-half years since the last GE.
We are aware that walkabouts do not allow us to spend sufficient time to properly interact with voters. However, this activity allows us to meet and greet residents in greater numbers and to sell our party newspaper, The New Democrat, and spread our message. In this way, walkabouts are important.
To make up for the lack of quality interaction in walkabouts, we organised house-visits. This activity provides us with opportunities to interact with residents, understand their concerns and receive feedback on national and municipal issues. The reach is, of course, much more limited. We also use house-visits to conduct surveys, the feedback which we have used to good effect.
This is why a combination of the two types of ground activities is needed.
We provide transport for our members and volunteers from point to point during our walkabouts to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency and ensure as wide a coverage.
We would like to assure the writer that we have visited most areas within our targeted constituencies and will continue to do more in the coming months.
I would like to take this opportunity to invite you and your friends to our regular SDP Connects kopi sessions with residents this Friday, 30 January 2015 from 8-10pm at the coffeeshop at Blk 326, Woodlands St 32. It will be a great opportunity for us to share ideas and discuss how best we can bring this nation forward.
I look forward to seeing you then.
Bryan Lim
Head
Ground Operations Unit
Singapore Democratic Party