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SINGAPORE \u2013 Workers\u2019 Party chief Pritam Singh said his party would provide alternative ideas and act as a constructive check on the Government in the year ahead, as he reflected on the 2025 General Election that \u201creinforced the importance of political diversity\u201d.<\/p>\n
In his New Year message, Mr Singh, who is also Leader of the Opposition, said the election results are an acknowledgement by Singaporeans that a balanced political system is \u201cnot a luxury, but a requirement\u201d for Singapore\u2019s stability and resilience.<\/p>\n
The May election, a \u201cdefining moment\u201d for Singapore\u2019s democracy, saw the WP solidifying its position in the constituencies it held. It retained Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC and Hougang SMC with higher vote shares despite the nationwide swing to the ruling People\u2019s Action Party.<\/p>\n
It also gained two Non-Constituency MP seats for close contests in Jalan Kayu SMC and Tampines GRC, and is now the only opposition party in Parliament.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even so, in the constituencies the WP did not contest, the PAP regained significant ground, noted Mr Singh in his message posted on the party\u2019s social media channels.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis fact alone makes it clear how difficult opposition politics in Singapore truly is and will continue to be moving forward,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
With 12 MPs, the WP now has its largest contingent in Parliament.<\/p>\n
Mr Singh said the party would ensure that policies are put through rigorous scrutiny and debate in the House.<\/p>\n
To this end, WP MPs have looked at government policy across a wide spectrum of issues since Parliament reopened in September, including calling for transparency following a spate of rail disruptions, he said as he reviewed his party\u2019s parliamentary contributions.<\/p>\n
It also advocated a pre-school voucher scheme to ensure affordability in the sector and sought the removal of the annual value of property as a means-testing criterion for healthcare subsidies, among other things.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Leader of the Opposition, I emphasised that questioning the Government is a vital feature of our system designed to ensure better results for all,\u201d added Mr Singh. <\/p>\n
This role of the Opposition in providing robust checks and balances has never been more critical, in an era of unprecedented disruption, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n