Dr Tan said the opposition would have to “step up their game to find credible people … who are willing to take up the roles and contest within the constituencies”.
Ms Seah’s departure has also reduced the chances of WP wresting East Coast GRC from the PAP, said Dr Izzuddin.
“She was WP’s political trump card to connect with the younger voters and central to the party’s ambitions to make further inroads into parliament by winning more electoral seats in the next General Election due (by) 2025,” he said.
Ms Nydia Ngiow, managing director for Bower Group Asia Singapore, said the opposition party was more “personality-driven” than the PAP, and would be affected by the loss of talent.
“Leon Perera has commanded respect for his persuasive oratorical abilities, while Nicole Seah has drawn younger voters due to her eloquent and down-to-earth personality,” she said.
“Depending on who eventually replaces them, their resignations may make it harder for the WP to attract new voters and portray themselves as a credible opposition party in time for the next elections.”
Ms Ngiow, however, pointed out that Ms Seah and Mr Perera’s affair paled in comparison to the “slew of issues facing the PAP”.
Besides Mr Tan and Ms Cheng’s affair and other recent controversies, Transport Minister S Iswaran is currently being investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
BOTH PAP, WP ‘NOT FORTHCOMING’
Analysts called for more transparency from political parties, in the wake of scandals that have plagued them in the past few weeks.
“The PAP has a slightly bigger burden to carry because it’s always said that ‘we are above board, we tolerate no scandals’,” said NUS’ Assoc Prof Chong, noting that Mr Tan and Ms Cheng’s affair was not the PAP’s biggest challenge.
“With the WP, I think there are people out there willing to cut them some slack.”