Jeyaretnam's book is a collection of his parliamentary speeches delivered from the middle of 1997 through the close of 1999.

The forum began with three questions on the theme posed by the moderator to panellists Mr Jeyeretnam and Mr James Gomez of the Think Centre.

The opposition leader began by asserting that in its essence, politics was about the arrangement of society by its members. Politics is not, and should not be exclusive to a select few.

Jeyaretnam shared his observations that generally, Singaporeans seemed unable and helpless to get the best out of society as they would during a mundane shopping spree. "What kind of bargain are we getting? Do we want a better society?"

Keen to dispel the "falsity" of this nation being the best home, Jeyaretnam stated that in exchange for this promise, Singaporeans are enslaved to mindsets and habits that never question the status quo. Rights are surrendered, the latter reduced to merely an entitlement which can be withdrawn at will. The dignity of the people being robbed in the process.

In closing, Jeyaretnam identified the people, the common man in the street, as an answer and the solution to the current state of affairs.

Political parties are after all, empowered by these very people, he said. Change can only emanate from the people if they will it.

Panellist James Gomez dealt with the topic by projecting a scenario for the next general elections.

He suggested that political parties would be outdated, and that independent candidates would take off where opposition parties have failed in challenging the ruling elite.

Gomez said the malaise of self-censorship was the bane of the politics in Singapore. Added to that was the lack of a sufficient alliance between the opposition. Moreover, the absence of a vibrant political scene could very well lay in the people's tacit endorsement of the current system.

Gomez said if the presence of a credible alternative were to be pursued, then the answer may lie in the rise of independent candidates willing to contest the ruling party in place of existing opposition parties.

In keeping with the PAP's yardsticks, these people would have to be "good men and women", for they will in for a rough ride. As political babies, independents would be "cannibalised" both by the ruling party, the opposition and civil society, as well as the electorate.

Mr Gomez’s suggestion came under scrutiny, as both Mr Jeyaretnam and the floor raised questions and proffered solutions. Jeyaretnam was adamant that parties would remain a vital medium of change. Quoting the opposition’s share of votes in recent elections (the PAP obtained 65 percent in the 1997 general elections), Mr Jeyaretnam reiterated that it is unfair to brand the opposition as failures.

Participant Patrick Low asked how different and special would these independents be and said that social movements would be crucial for change to occur, as recent experiences in the region have shown.

In reply, Gomez responded the time has come for "new languages, methodologies and strategies".

What was important was the notion of non-partisanship, he said.

An unexplored area, Gomez said was the initiatives of Think Centre (through its forums and publications) to probe and cajole interested entities in staking their claims in the political landscape.

Therein lay the potential in the unfolding of a new political age in Singapore politics, he said.

While participants were divided on Gomez’s proposal, some called for the opposition to unite. While some saw this as a possibility others had reservations.