GE2025: Pritam Singh urges voters to weigh WP candidates against PAP backbenchers

Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh on 25 April 2025 urged Singaporeans to compare his party’s candidates with backbenchers from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), emphasising that WP members, if elected, would not form part of the government. He was responding to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s comments the night before at a rally, where Wong urged voters not to give a “free pass” to alternative parties to enter Parliament. Singh, who is also contesting in Aljunied GRC, noted that alternative party candidates should be evaluated within the proper context. Speaking to reporters during a walkabout with WP’s East Coast GRC team, Singh pointed out that voters would essentially be choosing between backbenchers when casting their votes. “I can understand why the Prime Minister would take that position — he naturally wants as many of his party’s candidates in Parliament as possible. I think it is entirely expected that he would express that view,” he said. Singh reiterated the WP’s longstanding position that at least one-third of Members of Parliament should come from the opposition, to ensure sufficient checks and balances. He noted that this vision reflects a divergence in views between the WP and the PAP on how Singapore’s political system should evolve. “But I would share with the voters, When you compare people, you are comparing a WP slate that is going to compare against the PAP backbenchers,” he said.

'WP has put forward a serious slate of individuals'

He added, “It’s backbencher versus backbencher, because the Workers’ Party are not going to be in government.” Singh further explained that the WP had fielded a credible team of 26 candidates, describing them as a “serious slate of individuals”. “My proposition to voters to consider is to understand that backbencher for backbencher, you’ve got a serious choice there, and the Workers’ Party has put forward a serious slate of individuals, so that Singaporeans can consider that choice carefully.” Singh stated that he and his party respected voters’ choices. “I respect whatever choice Singaporeans make; the whole Workers’ Party does,” he said.

Prime Minister Wong highlights stakes at first rally

On 24 April, Prime Minister Wong, who is also PAP’s secretary-general, delivered his first rally speech of the General Election at Woodlands Stadium. He stressed that the “first and most urgent priority” was addressing cost-of-living issues and job concerns. Wong said Singapore needed a strong team to navigate these challenges and warned against voters granting alternative parties an easy route into Parliament. He said voters should apply the same standards to all candidates, regardless of party, and highlighted PAP’s efforts to renew its ranks, naming Tampines GRC candidate David Neo and East Coast GRC’s Dinesh Vasu as individuals with “potential” to take on roles beyond the backbench. Singh’s comments were made during a campaign event in East Coast GRC. WP team here comprising former Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong, IT professional Nathaniel Koh, ex-US Navy administrator Paris V Parameswari, former lawyer Sufyan Mikhail Putra, and Visa product lead Jasper Kuan. Singh affirmed that Yee, a seasoned candidate, had significant experience. Yee narrowly lost in Joo Chiat SMC in 2011, later contesting Marine Parade GRC in 2015 and 2020. Singh stated, “I’ve got somebody with a load of experience leading the team. I’ve got someone who’s got a very big heart.”

Redrawn boundaries and electoral confidence

Due to changes in electoral boundaries announced last month, the Joo Chiat ward was moved from Marine Parade GRC to East Coast GRC. Yee expressed confidence in the WP’s team, saying they were prepared to serve residents effectively if elected. “We’re very confident that if we are elected here, we will run this estate well. We will give our very best,” said Yee. Asked about contesting against two PAP officeholders, Yee acknowledged the difficulty of facing the ruling party. “Every time you come against the PAP, it’s always very difficult. I’ve been through this three times before. In the end, it’s the voters who decide,” he said. He added, “But we really want to appeal to the residents, please do give this team a chance.” Singh was also asked about WP’s campaign in Tampines GRC, where vice-chair Faisal Abdul Manap, formerly of Aljunied GRC, is leading the team. Tampines is one of the rare constituencies to see a four-cornered contest this election. The WP team will face an incumbent PAP slate led by Masagos Zulkifli, as well as teams from the National Solidarity Party and People’s Power Party. Asked if Malay voters would play a deciding role in Tampines, Singh emphasised their nuanced political awareness. “They’re also very sophisticated voters. It’s not just a question of a race matter,” Singh said. He added that Malay voters, like all Singaporeans, were concerned about national issues and understood the WP’s approach to politics. “I believe a lot of our voters accept that there must be a strong opposition presence in Singapore. The Workers’ Party has a certain approach that we take into politics, and I think the Malay voters are very sensitive, and they are aware of what that approach is.”