By Elaine Ee
In the past 18 months, a wave of change has swept across the political landscape of Singapore. One general election, one presidential election and two by-elections saw the ruling People’s Action Party’s hegemony in the political sphere eroded in one under-performance for them after another. Riding the crest of this wave is The Workers’ Party, with their historic win of Aljunied GRC, then holding on firmly to Hougang and now—in another stunning win—taking Punggol East from the PAP.
The people’s loss of faith in the PAP under Lee Hsien Loong’s leadership is clear. As is their increasingly lack of fear to vote against the PAP, as the stigma of being associated with opposition disappeared with the ‘old normal’ and was replace with a new found street cred or sign of courage in the ‘new normal’.
Also clear is that people disillusioned with the PAP are pinning their hopes on the WP.
So, now with seven full Members of Parliament and two Non-constituency Member of Parliament, the onus is on the Workers’ Party to live up to these hopes.
“But we remain a small party,” says WP Chairman Sylvia Lim, dismissing the claim that Singapore has a two party system, implying that, really, we have a one-and-a-bit party system.
“This shows that Singaporeans want the government to work harder,” says Low Thia Khiang, WP Secretary General.
Actually, Mr Low, if people vote for you, it’s because they want you to work harder, and better. If they had wanted the PAP to work harder, and better, they would have voted PAP. Your job is not to help the PAP do a better job; it’s to show that you can do a better job than them.
The WP is like a small business that has won a big account from a giant corporation and now has to figure how on earth to scale up in time and meet expectations—which are now sky high. This kind of rapid success is awesome—and the WP deserves it—but can also be challenging.
As long as the mood of voters remains in this revolutionary high, the WP, and other opposition, can strike while the iron is hot. But at some point, the fire will cool and reality will bite, and any opposition in parliament will have to show that they can deliver the goods.
Grace periods don’t last long. Already rumblings were beginning to be heard that the WP Aljunied team hasn’t been pulling enough weight. The exposure of the AIM saga helped save them, in that respect.
It’s not easy for the WP. It is a much smaller party than the PAP. But if you pitch for a job, and you win it, you have to find a way to make it work.
I want - more than anything - to see a fairer, more open political playing field; and am thrilled and impressed by Lee Li Lian’s win in Punggol East.
The WP has a golden opportunity on their hands. It is perfectly situated in this moment of change for Singapore, and is on a roll.
So WP, seize the day, show that you can improve the lives of your constituents, show that you can hold your own in parliament, contribute to policies, groom future MPs and even ministers (yes)—and not only will 2016 be sweet grounds for you, your success will outlive the heat of the moment.