Lee Hsien Loong warns of limited political space if election margins narrow

SINGAPORE: Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has warned that shrinking electoral margins may constrain the government’s ability to make long-term decisions. Speaking at the Annual Public Service Leadership Ceremony, SM Lee Hsien Loong warned that if the People's Action Party (PAP) continues to lose electoral support, the government will have "less political space to do the right things." He explained that as electoral margins narrow, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore short-term pressures, which could significantly change the political landscape. "Singaporeans must understand the dangers this creates, and so must the public service," SM Lee stressed. He pointed out that Singapore faces formidable internal and external challenges in the years ahead, with rising expectations and demands from citizens. As growth becomes harder to achieve and politics becomes more fiercely contested, he warned, "Things can go wrong for Singapore too." He urged vigilance in preparing for an uncertain future, noting, "As the world changes, and as the generations change, we must do our best to renew our system – to ensure that it continues to work well for us, even as things change." The PAP saw a marked drop in its vote share in the 2020 General Election, securing 61.24% of the vote and 83 out of 93 seats, down from 69.9% in 2015. A significant loss was that of Sengkang GRC to the Workers' Party (WP), where the PAP’s team, led by former Minister Ng Chee Meng, was defeated.

Fiscal Responsibility and Governance

Reflecting on Singapore's governance, SM Lee credited its success over the past six decades to good policies, political leadership, and a strong public service. He emphasized the need for cooperation between the public service and ministers to maintain stability, noting, "This is how we have been able to maintain political stability and deliver good government." SM Lee contrasted Singapore's approach with that of other countries, where politicians often avoid difficult decisions to retain support, leading to populism. "Thankfully, Singapore has been an exception to this rule," he said. He pointed to the government's decision to raise the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as an example of responsible governance. While acknowledging that the two-stage increase—from 7% to 8% in 2023 and from 8% to 9% in 2024—would likely cost the ruling party votes, SM Lee explained that it was necessary to fund rising healthcare costs for an ageing population. "It was a political decision to minimise the impact on the public, even though it created twice the administrative overheads. But doing it in two steps acknowledged the public’s concerns about the tax increase," SM Lee said. However, public perception holds that the phased hike led to greater price inflation than if it had been implemented all at once.

Public Service and Leadership

In his speech, SM Lee also called on the public service to remain committed to its mission of serving Singaporeans. He urged public service leaders to lead by example, saying, "You have to set the tone and direction in your respective organisations." He emphasized that the public service and political leadership must continue working together to address key challenges, including public transport, immigration, and income inequality. SM Lee concluded by underscoring the importance of maintaining high-quality political leadership and a dedicated public service to ensure Singapore remains exceptional. "Together, the political leadership and the public service can come up with good policies, persuade Singaporeans to support them, and make the policies succeed," he said. Head of Civil Service Leo Yip echoed SM Lee’s concerns about shrinking political margins and praised his leadership in creating the political space necessary for difficult decisions. Yip stressed that the public service must support the government's longer-term objectives, even amid increasing complexity. "Senior Minister Lee led the way in convincing Singaporeans about the tough choices we had to make," Yip said, emphasizing that it is the public service's duty to think beyond their respective organisations and act in the national interest. "Our role is to steer and guide our colleagues to think and act as One Public Service," he added.

Sengkang GRC and Political Opposition

The PAP's defeat in the newly introduced Sengkang GRC marked a significant moment in the 2020 General Election, with Associate Professor Jamus Lim of the Workers' Party winning a seat. During a live debate, Assoc Prof Lim openly challenged SM Lee’s assertion that the election would give the PAP a mandate to lead the country through the crisis. "The truth is, the PAP, in all likelihood, would have this mandate by the end of this election," Assoc Prof Lim said, drawing laughter from those present. He clarified that the WP was not trying to deny the PAP its mandate but rather prevent it from receiving "a blank cheque" in Parliament. "That is what I think this election is about," he remarked. Despite losing Sengkang GRC and securing 61.24% of the vote, the PAP continues to hold a super-majority in Parliament (over two-thirds of the seats), ensuring it cannot be blocked from amending the Constitution. Assoc Prof Lim’s perspective may have contributed to WP's success in Sengkang, as residents saw the election as an opportunity to ensure greater accountability from the ruling party. His team's victory underscored the growing desire among voters for more balanced representation in Parliament.