With the Workers' Party taking up to 8 seats in the next Parliament, Singapore could be taking the first steps towards a two-party system
By Wayne Sim
Staff Writer
Following the results of the May 7 general election, Singapore’s next Parliament will see the presence of two political parties – 81 seats for the ruling People’s Action Party and 6 seats for the opposition Workers’ Party.
In addition, the WP is also likely to take up 2 out of the 3 Non-Constituency seats on offer, bringing their Parliamentary presence to 8 seats in total.
With no other parties managing to win any seats, the WP has distinguished itself as Singapore’s main opposition party. Though it will not be able to block the passage of bills or even constitutional amendments in the legislature, the WP will have enough of a presence to make its views heard. It will also have the latitude to carve out its own niche and identity as a political entity by defining and articulating more clearly its stance on matters of policy.
With Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressing a desire to “work constructively” with the WP in shaping policy, Singapore could be witnessing the beginnings of a two-party system, in line with the WP’s vision of a “First World Parliament”.
The WP’s capture of 6 seats – the biggest haul of any opposition party since 1963 – has important implications for Singapore’s political landscape. This means that talented individuals who wish to serve Singapore’s interests but do not agree with the PAP are more likely to join the WP, seeing as the party is going to provide them with a much stronger and more credible platform than any other opposition party.
This could see the WP growing stronger, while the other opposition parties – especially those without clearly defined platforms – could fade into the periphery, in line with Darwinian principles.
The only other opposition party that has a clearly defined platform is the Singapore Democratic Party. Despite its improved showing at the polls, however, the SDP still suffers from an image problem, as seen by the fact that its strongest team in Holland-Bukit Timah only managed to capture 39 per cent of the votes against an unpopular incumbent, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. In contrast, the WP’s second and third-string teams in East Coast, Nee Soon and Moulmein-Kallang all managed to secure over 40 per cent, despite lacking candidates with the star appeal of Mr Tan Jee Say or Dr Vincent Wijeysingha. This illustrates that a party’s brand image has an important role to play in winning public support.
While the SDP no longer engages in civil disobedience, Dr Chee Soon Juan is still its leader, and many moderate middle-ground voters find it difficult to accept him, regardless of whether their perceptions are accurately informed or not. Additionally, the SDP lacks a common touch, with its detailed policy programs considered too intellectual and complex for the average heartland voter to understand.
In contrast, the WP’s moderate and close-to-the-ground image appeals strongly to the same demographic, as seen from the results. The fact that newcomer Lee Lilian managed to secure over 10 times the number of votes of the Singapore Democratic Alliance leader Desmond Lim in Punggol East – despite the latter having worked the ground for years – is a simple case in point, though it might be an extreme example because the SDA has a very weak brand identity.
What is likely to happen is that parties such as the SDA, Reform Party and Singapore People’s Party – which banks on little more than the personal emotional appeal of Mr Chiam See Tong – will find it increasingly difficult to recruit talented candidates, and will eventually be crowded out as the WP (and to a lesser extent, the SDP) grows stronger. With Hougang and now Aljunied under their control, the party can work towards setting up a grassroots network similar to that of the PAP, which could bear massive dividends in terms of manpower and resources.
This could lead to an eventuality where the WP will field candidates in almost all constituencies, leaving the smaller parties with no choice but to either stay out of the way or engage in three-cornered fights – or risk suffering the same fate as Mr Lim, who lost his deposit after managing only to secure a miserable 4.5 per cent of the votes.
If this happens, it means that Singapore’s political landscape will no longer be seen in terms of “PAP vs Opposition”, but rather “PAP vs WP”. Though the WP has not defined in minute detail what it means by a First World Parliament, a two-party system, in which the main opposition party has the ability to form a government in the event that the incumbent government loses an election, could well be the answer. And as much as the PAP wants to avoid this, shifting perceptions amongst the electorate might leave it with no choice.
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The author is a Staff Writer at The Satay Club. He is a final-year law undergraduate at a reputable university in Australia. He returns to Singapore at least twice a year.
The main topic on everyone’s mind is not abt BG Yeo & gang out.Old fart story.only MSM keepin the stench alive with daily mournin on SG media- whores.
the New Qn is Like Who Wts to Be Millionaire?
Who Within PAP Will Be out In YR2016?
a) Is it Vivian Bala
b) Is it KBW
c) Is it MBT
d) Is it NHK
or All of above!!!
WKS & old dinosaurs omitted as dead or retired likely no offense, just Nature’s Hard Truth
That is the Million oops sorri no insult multi Million dollar qn.
Fm TKL’s Blog by reader. Can he be the next SG “Anwar” though better morales and gd man to lead and unite the opposition.History has funny way of springing up very unlikely heros…we wait
Open Letter to All Opposition Parties in SG,
Post GE2011: For SG & Singaporeans Need For An Alternative Voices
Dear All Opposition Parties Of SG,
All: Moving On you need to have a joint meeting on next step forward outside your own party planning and post election evaluation.
1.Take note you tried to have a few towards the start of election but was not enough time.
2.The political landscape will change further esp winning WP team will draw more able candidates than now bec of success and results.
Not to take it negatively all opposition parties, this is natural and right step for political development.
3.But on your side continue to improve and change to build up your own parties and approaches to win gd candidates esp SDA, NSP.
4.But you all as Opposition Parties need to meet and engage in joint dialogue inorder to move forward as opposition parties in SG as end of day despite different party ways and manifestoes, you share a common goal to represent Singaporeans and challenge PAP’s arrogant and out of touch policies for the people of Singapore.
5.The reality of Post 2011 election towards YR2016 will see a bigger slate of opposition candidates to contest on WP cards in next elections which means 3 corner fights will be inevitable.But cn be done in a civil, proper equal playing field whic does not dilute opposition votes.
6.But unlike the SDA fiasco in Punggol East by Desmond which did not help any opposition party or SG people, this can be done in a better way.
7.Meaning a joint meeting and discussion needs to start moving forward by all opposition parties to some discuss on possible wards they will focus on in YR2016 minus the PAP’s continued plans for more gerry manderring or changes which cannot be avoided.
8.Least give each party an opportunity to focus on key wards or repeat wards and opportunity to build a base there and continue efforts than last minute changes and switches to new locations.
The latter normally erodes voter support as last minute parachutting vs incumbent PAP as they are there already.
9.So please start talking among yourselves, least a decent start based on whoever comes forward among you, reform party, NSP,SDA and WP.
10.Least a better strategy and gives you room to build your resources, work on target wards effectively and do not disappear as that will play into ruling party’s hands and make no mistake they are all changing and will prepare for the YR2016 fight starting from now.
11.For your survival, relevance in representing SG and most impt success for next GE2016.
Last Note; Mr Tan Kim Lian, you as a respected man by many in SG and a friend of the opposition and Singaporeans can step in to initiate a first meeting after this election so this can happen as is impt for our political landscape and survival as we want change.
Think opposition parties can talk and be civil as this is not like asking PAP to join in as they don’t even listen to you and anyone.
The WP could do something gracious and refuse to take any of the NCMP posts. Give them to NSP (Nicole Seah) and SPP (Lina Chiam and Benjamin Pwee). This will give the other opposition parties a voice.
Ahhh…the illusion of a ’2 party system’. People might mistake it for democracy till they realise that it is a ’2 party, 1 perspective, system’.
Both still extol the capitalist system; both are still racially biased; both still averse to critique from supporters; both still expect unquestioning allegiance from the ranks…….’
When the PAP were focused on local chinese interests in the past, the ‘opposition’ attempted to gain more for them. When the PAP shifted its focus onto new foreigners, the ‘opposition’ attempted to get the focus back on the interests of the local chinese. ’2 party system’? More like it gives a ’2 party system’ a bad name.
ALL credible opposition candidates, such as Nicole Seah, Alec Tok, Hazel Poa, Tony Tan, Jeannette Aruldoss, Dr Vincent, Dr Ang Yong Guan, Tan Jee Say and Benjamin Pwee should now join the WP. It should be OBVIOUS to them that they stand a far higher chance of getting elected if they join the WP. Why they are wasting time with the other parties, I don’t know. Opposition candidates should now rally around WP and work hard to build it up so that a two party system can take root in SG.