1955 Legislative Assembly Election

The 1955 Legislative Assembly election was a landmark event in Singapore’s political history, marking the first election under the Rendel Constitution. This election introduced significant changes to Singapore’s political framework, granting citizens greater autonomy and reshaping the legislature.

Background

The Rendel Constitution, named after Sir George Rendel, aimed to provide Singaporeans with more self-governance. It established a framework in which elected representatives formed the majority in the legislature, sharing executive power with the British colonial authorities. Key reforms included:

Increased Elected Seats: Elected seats by universal suffrage formed a majority in the legislature.
Revamped Electoral Map: Constituencies were redefined, with five existing names—Bukit Timah, Changi, Katong, Seletar, and Tanglin—retained but carved into smaller wards. Seven additional seats were created, bringing the total to 32.
Executive Restructuring: The roles of Governor and Colonial Secretary were replaced by a Chief Secretary (CS), who, along with the Attorney-General and Financial Secretary, formed the Council of Ministers. An elected legislator became Chief Minister (CM), heading the Council.
Nominated Members: The CS was empowered to appoint four nominated Assembly Members.
Changes in Representation: The City Council President was excluded from the Assembly, and the five "Official" and three elected commerce chamber seats were abolished.
Standard Party Symbols: For the first time, political parties could use standard symbols for their candidates, while independents selected theirs.

Political Parties and Candidates

The election saw active participation from established and emerging political parties:

Progressive Party (PP): Representing the English-speaking bourgeoisie, PP fielded the most candidates alongside the Democratic Party (DP), which catered to Mandarin-speaking voters.
Labour Front (LF): LF, originally a coalition of three parties (Democratic Labour Party, Singapore Socialist Party, and the Kesatuan Melayu or KM), became a single entity after the former two merged. KM joined the UMNO-MCA alliance.
Labour Party (LP): LP’s influence waned significantly; one of its two Assembly Members joined LF, and the other became independent.
People’s Action Party (PAP): Led by lawyer Lee Kuan Yew, PAP made its debut, opposing the Rendel Constitution and fielding only a few candidates.

The death of PP’s popular candidate C. J. P. Paglar during the campaign further shaped the electoral narrative.

Results

Contrary to British expectations of a PP victory, the socialist Labour Front won the most seats. LF chairman David Marshall became Singapore’s first Chief Minister, forming a coalition government with the UMNO-MCA-KM alliance. Chief Secretary William Goode appointed two LF members among the four nominated Assembly Members.

Key Events and Aftermath

Hock Lee Bus Riots: The LF government faced labor unrest, culminating in the violent Hock Lee Bus Riots due to poor working conditions and underpayment of bus workers.
Union Leader Arrests: In response to escalating riots, several union leaders, including PAP Assembly Member Lim Chin Siong (then the youngest lawmaker in Singapore’s history), were detained by the Special Branch on 27 October 1956. Lim’s Bukit Timah seat was not vacated, allowing him to serve most of his term under detention.

Election Details

Council Dissolved: 5 February 1955 (Saturday)
Nomination Day: 28 February 1955 (Monday)
Polling Day: 2 April 1955 (Saturday)
Assembly Opening: 22 April 1955 (Friday)
Electorate: 300,199
Voter Turnout: 158,075 (52.7%)
Election Deposit: $500

Significance

The 1955 Legislative Assembly election was pivotal in Singapore’s journey toward self-governance. It marked the rise of socialist influence, labor movements, and the emergence of new political forces, setting the stage for future political transformations.