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HDB property upgrading as an electoral inducement created the most passion and no small measure of resentment in the election campaign. As the heat of contest dissipates, the issue of improving living conditions in public housing should properly be returned to its non-partisan slot. It requires a sober reappraisal, as no single policy seems to draw together or divide the people quite like HDB largesse in the form of taxpayer-funded improvement works. Property value is influenced by the extent of upgrading, quality of life and community cohesion are closely linked to it. Leaders of the People's Action Party have hinted at a reassessment in post-election comments. The party felt keenly voters' rejection of its $180 million upgrading offers in Hougang and Potong Pasir - by larger margins than in the 2001 election - but this cannot be the reason for re-casting a policy to suit a party platform. It should be treated as an instrument of national import. It is conceded a bit of realism is called for. All things being equal, those parts of the country which voted the incumbent party back have a reasonable right to accelerated structural and lift upgrading. Those who favoured opposition parties know they have to wait their turn.

This has been tacitly understood through the election cycles - but the principle can be applied only up to a point. The voters' revolt in Potong Pasir and Hougang has shown up the discrepancy that exists between an avowedly party-political reward system and a government's even discharge of its duty to the citizenry. The Government should come down on the side of fairness. Parts of Potong Pasir and Hougang look exhausted, as reporters who tramped the island during the campaign noted. If they do not become PAP territory over the next couple of elections, would the Government let them go to seed? Can it? This would be cutting the nose to spite the face: as a compact city Singapore cannot hide its eyesores if urban blight takes hold. Upgrading was conceived partly to show Singapore in its best light.

There is more. Grumbles are heard in opposition towns about why they are being treated unequally when they pay taxes and their sons perform National Service, like other citizens. And it is hard to explain to older residents with bad knees why they have to wait indefinitely for the relief that comes with lifts that stop at each floor.