Drawing some lessons from the win, Lim Tean, the Secretary General of the People's Voice Party Singapore, pointed out the very simple reason for the outcome - the Labour Party "simply did not listen to the will of the Voters".
Explaining further, Tean pointed out that many of the people who voted for Brexit in 2016 were the core Labour supporters - they were largely part of the working class that, comparatively, gained little from Britain's union with the EU.
Policies such as the free movement of labour across countries within the EU, disadvantaged them. This, according to Tean, was "not unlike what the PAP government has ushered in through CECA, which allows liberal access for work opportunities in Singapore to Indian nationals in 127 professions".
The supporters became frustrated, and they wanted Brexit. Yet, successive PMs were unable to deliver it. In addition, the Labour Party were also divided and did not have a clear position on Brexit. This alienated more of their supporters.
Tean feels that this is the case with the PAP in Singapore. It has failed to listen to the will of the people of Singapore. Hence, he is confident that the Opposition is primed to take advantage and take over from the incumbent.
There is no such thing in politics as a sure win or a sure thing. It does not matter if a Party has held a seat like Leigh for over a 100 years or the PAP has been in power for 60. The problem with many Opposition figures in Singapore is that they build the PAP into a behemoth which cannot be beaten and all the Opposition can hope for is to survive, hibernate and then come out to fight in the next GE. Their prophesies then become self-fulfilling.
What this massive Labour defeat and Pakatan Harapan’s victory in the Malaysian elections in 2018 show ( kicking out Barisan National which had been in power for 61 years ) is that once a party fails to heed the call of the voters, it will be defeated decisively and kicked out!
We have a PAP government now that is going against the wishes of the People in most areas of people’s lives and in our democracy. That is what residents are telling us when Peoples Voice carry out our community and house visits! So take heart my friends in the Opposition and work hard! Victory will be ours soon!
Tean is right.
Many Singaporeans are disillusioned with life under the PAP. For many, the PAP is a symbol of elitism that is increasingly out of touch with the hopes, aspirations, and concerns of the man on the street.
There is no turning back. At the next election, Singaporeans will let their heads and hearts rule and vote to prove Tean right.
