The Workers’ Party will pose a serious threat to PAP’s rule in the next general election due to be called by 2016 if it is able to build on the momentum and attract more qualified candidates into its ranks.
Combining the total number of votes in a head-to-head contest between PAP and WP in the election held on 7 May 2011, WP actually won 47 percent of the votes compared to PAP’s 53 percent, well above the national average of 39.9 percent gained by the opposition.
This means that WP is becoming a recognized brand name among Singaporeans and has a loyal following of voters who will vote only for WP and no other opposition parties.
WP was the best performing party among all the non-PAP parties. Besides winning Hougang SMC and Aljunied GRC, it also gave PAP a fright in Joo Chiat SMC and East Coast GRC.
It managed to obtain an average of 58 percent in the remaining constituencies it contested despite fielding much weaker teams. On the other hand, the SDP ‘A’ team in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC only garner 39.9 percent of the votes.
WP’s success at the polls can be attributed largely to its track record of managing Hougang, its disciplined and close-knitted team as well as extensive positive coverage given to its candidates by the mainstream media.
The ringing endorsement of WP as a ‘credible’ opposition party by PAP leaders a couple of years back as well as the constant smearing of the other opposition parties like SDP by the state media also help WP built up a positive image among Singaporeans which will be hard to erase in their minds.
With 6 elected MPs and 2 NCMPs in parliament now, WP is expected to obtain much greater publicity than the other opposition parties thereby raising its profile in the next 5 years.
The success of WP in capturing a GRC will open its doors to more qualified candidates to join its ranks and it is expected to field a more credible slate of candidates in the next general election.
If WP is able to manage Aljunied GRC well in the next 5 years, it will greatly increase the confidence of Singaporeans in its capability and leadership.
Another 6 percent shift in votes in the next general election will see Joo Chiat and East Coast GRCs falling into the hands of WP and even Nee Soon and Moulmein-Kallang GRCs may be in danger as the example of Aljunied has shown.
The Workers Party is likely to win at least one-third of the seats in the next general election. If it is able to field credible candidates to contest in all the seats, it may even win a simple majority to form the government, thereby relegating the PAP to become an opposition party for the first time since 1959.
Singaporeans have made it loud and clear that they want a strong, credible and responsible opposition party like WP instead of many small and weak opposition parties.
Credible opposition candidates like Benjamin Pwee, Jeffrey Lee, Tony Tan and Hazel Poa should join WP to stand a better chance in the next general election. As the example of Punggol East SMC has shown, WP will have no problems winning three-cornered fights and cause the candidate from the other opposition party to lose his election deposit.
With young Singaporeans supporting WP in droves, it is definitely the party to watch in GE2016 and Singapore may see a change in government for the first time in its history.
Combining the total number of votes in a head-to-head contest between PAP and WP in the election held on 7 May 2011, WP actually won 47 percent of the votes compared to PAP’s 53 percent, well above the national average of 39.9 percent gained by the opposition.
This means that WP is becoming a recognized brand name among Singaporeans and has a loyal following of voters who will vote only for WP and no other opposition parties.
WP was the best performing party among all the non-PAP parties. Besides winning Hougang SMC and Aljunied GRC, it also gave PAP a fright in Joo Chiat SMC and East Coast GRC.
It managed to obtain an average of 58 percent in the remaining constituencies it contested despite fielding much weaker teams. On the other hand, the SDP ‘A’ team in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC only garner 39.9 percent of the votes.
WP’s success at the polls can be attributed largely to its track record of managing Hougang, its disciplined and close-knitted team as well as extensive positive coverage given to its candidates by the mainstream media.
The ringing endorsement of WP as a ‘credible’ opposition party by PAP leaders a couple of years back as well as the constant smearing of the other opposition parties like SDP by the state media also help WP built up a positive image among Singaporeans which will be hard to erase in their minds.
With 6 elected MPs and 2 NCMPs in parliament now, WP is expected to obtain much greater publicity than the other opposition parties thereby raising its profile in the next 5 years.
The success of WP in capturing a GRC will open its doors to more qualified candidates to join its ranks and it is expected to field a more credible slate of candidates in the next general election.
If WP is able to manage Aljunied GRC well in the next 5 years, it will greatly increase the confidence of Singaporeans in its capability and leadership.
Another 6 percent shift in votes in the next general election will see Joo Chiat and East Coast GRCs falling into the hands of WP and even Nee Soon and Moulmein-Kallang GRCs may be in danger as the example of Aljunied has shown.
The Workers Party is likely to win at least one-third of the seats in the next general election. If it is able to field credible candidates to contest in all the seats, it may even win a simple majority to form the government, thereby relegating the PAP to become an opposition party for the first time since 1959.
Singaporeans have made it loud and clear that they want a strong, credible and responsible opposition party like WP instead of many small and weak opposition parties.
Credible opposition candidates like Benjamin Pwee, Jeffrey Lee, Tony Tan and Hazel Poa should join WP to stand a better chance in the next general election. As the example of Punggol East SMC has shown, WP will have no problems winning three-cornered fights and cause the candidate from the other opposition party to lose his election deposit.
With young Singaporeans supporting WP in droves, it is definitely the party to watch in GE2016 and Singapore may see a change in government for the first time in its history.
