Losing Tampines and Punggol at GE2025 would have sent ‘serious and far-reaching message’: PM Wong

He added that now when he speaks to foreign leaders, he does so with a “quiet confidence”, because he knows that he speaks on behalf of a “clear-eyed and united people.”

“I speak on behalf of Singaporeans who stand for stability, progress and unity. Singaporeans who stand with the PAP because we have always stood with them.”

PM Wong also reflected on the polls – his first as leader of the PAP since

after the party’s internal leadership election that year. Earlier in May 2024, he had been sworn in as prime minister – also taking over from SM Lee.

PM Wong said he knew it was important that he and his team sought a “fresh mandate” from Singaporeans to lead and take the country forward in “this changed world”.

It was a hard-fought battle, and the party went into the election knowing that it would not be an easy fight, he noted.

Some party members and friends sent him messages to prepare for the worst – including predictions of a lower vote share as he was a new prime minister, the loss of a few single seats or even one or two more GRCs, he said.

“So I was mentally prepared for all outcomes. When the results came out, the same people who had messaged me earlier said to me: ‘sorry we should have more confidence in you!”

But he told them there was no need to apologise and it was right to sound a note of caution, as one can never be certain of the outcome of an election until the votes are counted.

At the time, the global issue of cost-of-living pressures were on many Singaporeans’ minds, and the Opposition worked up anxiety and frustration in Singaporeans and tried to pin the blame on the PAP, he said.

While Singaporeans appreciated the Government’s support packages and said that the PAP had done well, they also wanted more Opposition voices to keep the party in check, he said.

“We took that seriously, and went to the ground to convince Singaporeans – with our record, our sincerity and our plans for the future.”

Some had predicted that the uncertain external environment – economic uncertainty due in part to

a month before GE2025 – would bring about a “flight to safety”, said PM Wong.

But he took no comfort in this prediction, PM Wong said, as this did not happen during the last general election held during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Instead, the opposite happened. The PAP’s vote share fell, and the Opposition doubled its seats in Parliament, he noted.

“So I took nothing for granted.”

GE2025 turned out to be a tough, intense fight, he said, and the PAP made many tactical changes to the line-up right up to Nomination Day, he said.

“For nine days straight, our candidates and activists walked the ground, rallied supporters and met residents across the island.”

The party also stayed vigilant against attempts – both internal and external – to fan racial and religious sentiments for political gain, and up until the last day of campaigning key constituencies were still “too close to call,” PM Wong said.

While some characterised the eventual result as a landslide victory, PM Wong said he holds a different view.

“Just a small swing against the PAP and the results would have been very different. And if that had happened, the mood at today’s party convention would be very different,” he said.

He has therefore come out of the election with an “overwhelming sense of humility and gratitude,” he said.

Humility because elections remind in no uncertain terms that power ultimately lies with the people, he said. In the end, Singaporeans decide.

He added: ‘Always remember comrades, a strong mandate given by the people today can swiftly be taken away tomorrow.”

He highlighted the importance of groundwork, saying that the election’s results were also because the PAP’s candidates, activists and volunteers worked very hard on the ground, PM Wong said.

Voters care about both national and municipal issues, but above all about the candidate – whether he or she can bond and connect with them, get things done and improve their lives, PM Wong said.

Across the island, PAP MPs and their teams “made all the difference,” not just during the nine days of hustings but over five years of “hard and patient work,” he said.

Some had tougher fights than others, but never gave up. They showed conviction, courage and steel, and fought hard for every vote, he said.

“You stood your ground, and you stood tall – well done.”

He thanked the party’s activists, adding that much of their work is unseen by the public.

But they are the party’s “unsung heroes” and its “heart and soul”, he said.

PM Wong thanked in particular the PAP candidates who stood in the WP-held wards of Aljunied, Hougang and Sengkang.

They had the toughest mission but never wavered, he said.

“All in all comrades, this has been a tough but deeply rewarding campaign,” he said.

The PAP has done well in the election and it has given the party “a good base to work from,” PM Wong said.

Urging the party to “make the most of this opportunity,” he warned that the next election will be even tougher.

Singaporeans will have high expectations and exacting standards, and will judge the part not just by what it says but its actions.

“They will ask, have you delivered on your promises?”

The PAP must “hunker down” and get the work done, and well, he said.

Because when the next election comes, whether in 2030 or earlier, the party must be ready to face Singaporeans with “confidence and conviction.”

The party will be able to say clearly and proudly: “yes we have delivered,” PM Wong said.