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The Workers' Party (abbreviation: WP; 工人党, 工人黨; Parti Pekerja; பாட்டாளிக் கட்சி) is a centre-left opposition political party in Singapore. As of the most recent general election, the party holds 10 elected seats in Parliament. Its Secretary-General, [[Pritam Singh]], along with Chairman [[Sylvia Lim]], Gerald Giam, and Muhamad Faisal Manap, represent Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC). Jamus Lim and Louis Chua serve as Members of Parliament (MPs) for Sengkang GRC. Dennis Tan represents Hougang Single-Member Constituency (SMC). | The '''Workers' Party''' (abbreviation: WP; 工人党, 工人黨; Parti Pekerja; பாட்டாளிக் கட்சி) is a centre-left opposition political party in Singapore. As of the most recent general election, the party holds 10 elected seats in Parliament. Its Secretary-General, [[Pritam Singh]], along with Chairman [[Sylvia Lim]], Gerald Giam, and Muhamad Faisal Manap, represent Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC). Jamus Lim and Louis Chua serve as Members of Parliament (MPs) for Sengkang GRC. Dennis Tan represents Hougang Single-Member Constituency (SMC). | ||
Leon Perera and Raeesah Khan, both previously MPs for Sengkang GRC, have resigned, leaving their seats vacant. Since 2011, the Workers' Party has been the only opposition party with elected MPs in Parliament, playing a significant role in Singapore's political landscape. | Leon Perera and Raeesah Khan, both previously MPs for Sengkang GRC, have resigned, leaving their seats vacant. Since 2011, the Workers' Party has been the only opposition party with elected MPs in Parliament, playing a significant role in Singapore's political landscape. | ||
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Jeyaretnam was sued for slander by the Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew for comments he made at a Workers' Party election rally in 1988. Jeyaretnam lost the case and was ordered to pay Lee damages of S$260,000 plus costs. | Jeyaretnam was sued for slander by the Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew for comments he made at a Workers' Party election rally in 1988. Jeyaretnam lost the case and was ordered to pay Lee damages of S$260,000 plus costs. | ||
=== WP under Low Thia Khiang === | === WP under [[Low Thia Khiang]] === | ||
At the 1991 general election, Low Thia Khiang, who was then the Workers' Party's Organising Secretary, was elected as the MP for Hougang. He defeated the PAP's Tang Guan Seng by 10,621 votes (52.8%) to 9,487 (47.2%). | At the 1991 general election, [[Low Thia Khiang]], who was then the Workers' Party's Organising Secretary, was elected as the MP for Hougang. He defeated the PAP's Tang Guan Seng by 10,621 votes (52.8%) to 9,487 (47.2%). | ||
The party also polled strongly in Eunos GRC again, losing to the PAP's team by 47.6% of the votes to 52.4%. During the election campaign, one of the Workers' Party's candidates in Eunos, Jufrie Mahmood, drew particular fire from the PAP and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, who accused him of being a Malay chauvinist, an accusation Jufrie strongly denied. | The party also polled strongly in Eunos GRC again, losing to the PAP's team by 47.6% of the votes to 52.4%. During the election campaign, one of the Workers' Party's candidates in Eunos, Jufrie Mahmood, drew particular fire from the PAP and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, who accused him of being a Malay chauvinist, an accusation Jufrie strongly denied. | ||
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In 2001, Jeyaretnam lost his NCMP seat when he was declared bankrupt after failing to keep up with payments for damages owed from a libel suit brought by Goh Chok Tong and other PAP leaders following comments he had made at an election rally in 1997 (for which he had been ordered to pay S$100,000 plus S$20,000 in court costs). | In 2001, Jeyaretnam lost his NCMP seat when he was declared bankrupt after failing to keep up with payments for damages owed from a libel suit brought by Goh Chok Tong and other PAP leaders following comments he had made at an election rally in 1997 (for which he had been ordered to pay S$100,000 plus S$20,000 in court costs). | ||
Low Thia Khiang became the Workers' Party's Secretary-General in 2001 following the resignation of Jeyaretnam. The transfer of party leadership took place in bitter acrimony as Jeyaretnam later accused Low of not doing enough to help him pay the damages from the libel suit. In response, Low claimed that he had always looked upon Jeyaretnam as an elder and had done everything possible to help him. | [[Low Thia Khiang]] became the Workers' Party's Secretary-General in 2001 following the resignation of Jeyaretnam. The transfer of party leadership took place in bitter acrimony as Jeyaretnam later accused Low of not doing enough to help him pay the damages from the libel suit. In response, Low claimed that he had always looked upon Jeyaretnam as an elder and had done everything possible to help him. | ||
Many observers speculated that with Low at the helm, Workers' Party would tone down its more hard-line stance and take on a more centrist outlook at the 2001 general election. Indeed, soon after Low took over, Jeyaretnam and a faction which was loyal to him left the party (and later formed the Reform Party), and a group of new, younger members were recruited by the Workers' Party. Among them were James Gomez, Yaw Shin Leong and Sylvia Lim. | Many observers speculated that with Low at the helm, Workers' Party would tone down its more hard-line stance and take on a more centrist outlook at the 2001 general election. Indeed, soon after Low took over, Jeyaretnam and a faction which was loyal to him left the party (and later formed the Reform Party), and a group of new, younger members were recruited by the Workers' Party. Among them were James Gomez, Yaw Shin Leong and Sylvia Lim. | ||
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=== 2011 General Elections and Aljunied GRC breakthrough === | === 2011 General Elections and Aljunied GRC breakthrough === | ||
The manifesto for the General Election 2011 was entitled "Towards a First World Parliament". This was also used as a slogan during campaigning. One key proposal was for more affordable public housing such that Housing Development Board (HDB) lessees should be able to pay off their mortgage loans within 20 years rather than 30 years. On 27 April 2011, Low Thia Khiang announced his candidacy for the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency along with Lim and three other "A-list" candidates, vacating his seat of Hougang and leaving it to Yaw Shin Leong. | The manifesto for the General Election 2011 was entitled "Towards a First World Parliament". This was also used as a slogan during campaigning. One key proposal was for more affordable public housing such that Housing Development Board (HDB) lessees should be able to pay off their mortgage loans within 20 years rather than 30 years. On 27 April 2011, [[Low Thia Khiang]] announced his candidacy for the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency along with Lim and three other "A-list" candidates, vacating his seat of Hougang and leaving it to Yaw Shin Leong. | ||
On 7 May 2011, six Workers' Party candidates were returned as Members of Parliament. Yaw successfully retained the party stronghold of Hougang with a majority slightly under 65%, while Low, Sylvia Lim, Chen Show Mao, Muhamad Faisal Manap and [[Pritam Singh]] were victorious in Aljunied Group Representation Constituency, claiming 54.71% of the votes to unseat the incumbent PAP team which included two cabinet ministers, including the Foreign Minister George Yeo. Including overseas votes, the percentage of valid votes cast in favour of the Workers' Party team was 54.72%. | On 7 May 2011, six Workers' Party candidates were returned as Members of Parliament. Yaw successfully retained the party stronghold of Hougang with a majority slightly under 65%, while Low, Sylvia Lim, Chen Show Mao, Muhamad Faisal Manap and [[Pritam Singh]] were victorious in Aljunied Group Representation Constituency, claiming 54.71% of the votes to unseat the incumbent PAP team which included two cabinet ministers, including the Foreign Minister George Yeo. Including overseas votes, the percentage of valid votes cast in favour of the Workers' Party team was 54.72%. | ||
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The Workers' Party announced that it would contest 28 seats, an increase of 5 from GE 2011, and slightly under a third of the 89 parliamentary seats. | The Workers' Party announced that it would contest 28 seats, an increase of 5 from GE 2011, and slightly under a third of the 89 parliamentary seats. | ||
The MP for Aljunied GRC, Low Thia Khiang announced that he will remain in the same GRC, quashing rumours that he might lead a team to contest in other GRCs. | The MP for Aljunied GRC, [[Low Thia Khiang]] announced that he will remain in the same GRC, quashing rumours that he might lead a team to contest in other GRCs. | ||
During a walkabout, party Chairman, Sylvia Lim, confirmed that all its elected MPs from the last Election (and by-elections) will be defending their respective wards: | During a walkabout, party Chairman, Sylvia Lim, confirmed that all its elected MPs from the last Election (and by-elections) will be defending their respective wards: | ||
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=== 2016 Leadership Renewal === | === 2016 Leadership Renewal === | ||
On 29 May 2016, Low Thia Khiang successfully fended off an unprecedented challenge for his Secretary-General post by fellow MP Chen Show Mao for the first time in the party's history. Chen was re-appointed by Low in his previous position as Treasurer for another three months from 7 June 2016 until 9 September 2016, as he had already served two terms in the post. | On 29 May 2016, [[Low Thia Khiang]] successfully fended off an unprecedented challenge for his Secretary-General post by fellow MP Chen Show Mao for the first time in the party's history. Chen was re-appointed by Low in his previous position as Treasurer for another three months from 7 June 2016 until 9 September 2016, as he had already served two terms in the post. | ||
On 7 June 2016, the party appointed Pritam Singh as Assistant Secretary-General. | On 7 June 2016, the party appointed Pritam Singh as Assistant Secretary-General. | ||
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On 29 September 2017, the party's headquarters were relocated from Syed Alwi Road to the Teambuild Centre, located at Geylang Road. | On 29 September 2017, the party's headquarters were relocated from Syed Alwi Road to the Teambuild Centre, located at Geylang Road. | ||
On 3 November 2017, an anniversary dinner was held on Harbourfront Centre, marking a milestone of 60 years since the founding of the party on 3 November 1957. On the same night, Low Thia Khiang announced on his speech that he would step down from his role of Secretary-General and as well in the next party election the following year. A commemorative biographical book for the party, ''Walking With Singapore'', was launched at bookstores the following day. | On 3 November 2017, an anniversary dinner was held on Harbourfront Centre, marking a milestone of 60 years since the founding of the party on 3 November 1957. On the same night, [[Low Thia Khiang]] announced on his speech that he would step down from his role of Secretary-General and as well in the next party election the following year. A commemorative biographical book for the party, ''Walking With Singapore'', was launched at bookstores the following day. | ||
=== 2020 General Election === | === 2020 General Election === | ||