Progressive Party (Singapore)
Encyclopedia
The Singapore Progressive Party (abbrev
: PP; ; ), or just, the Progressive Party is a now defunct political party
that was formed on August 25, 1947. It won the Legislative Assembly general elections
in 1948 by winning half of the contested seats in the Legislative Assembly
, 3 out of 6. At that time, the self-government power of the Legislative Assembly was still rather limited.
and Nazir Ahmad Mallal, all three founders were educated at the University of London
and were three of the six first ever elected legislative councillors in Singapore. It was the first party to appear in Singapore politics.
policy at the time, to slowly let Singapore gain full self-government. This approach was criticised vehemently by David Saul Marshall
, leader of the Labour Front
who instead wanted rapid reform. The locals (especially the Chinese), and the communists also blasted the Progressive Party, claiming that they are Hanjian
, or traitors in Chinese.
, and it was approved by the British government in 1954, this CPF scheme provides financial security for workers in their retirement or for workers who were unable to work, this scheme came into effect in 1955, when David Marshall took office, and even after so many years, the CPF scheme despite having a few revisions and changes, remains in Singapore.
and the PAP
. Nevertheless, the PP contested in 22 legislative councillor seats.
The PP failed to win the successive elections in the 1955 general elections
, winning only 4 out of the 22 they contested, with none of their leaders in any seats. They merged with the Democratic Party
to form the Liberal Socialist Party
.
Abbreviation
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Usually, but not always, it consists of a letter or group of letters taken from the word or phrase...
: PP; ; ), or just, the Progressive Party is a now defunct political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
that was formed on August 25, 1947. It won the Legislative Assembly general elections
Singapore general election, 1948
The Legislative Council General Elections was the first election to be held in Singapore, taking place on 21 March 1948 when six of the 22 seats on the Legislative Council were open for popular voting, albeit only for British subjects. The election was announced on 1 February, and nominations were...
in 1948 by winning half of the contested seats in the Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly is the name given in some countries to either a legislature, or to one of its branch.The name is used by a number of member-states of the Commonwealth of Nations, as well as a number of Latin American countries....
, 3 out of 6. At that time, the self-government power of the Legislative Assembly was still rather limited.
History
Created by three lawyers, namely Tan Chye Cheng, John LaycockJohn Laycock
Christopher John Laycock, was a British lawyer, the founder of one of Singapore's earliest law firms, Laycock and Ong.It was in this firm that the man who would subsequently become Singapore's first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, began his career as a lawyer in 1949 after graduating from Cambridge...
and Nazir Ahmad Mallal, all three founders were educated at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
and were three of the six first ever elected legislative councillors in Singapore. It was the first party to appear in Singapore politics.
Party ideology
The Progressive Party was heavily backed and made up of English-speaking upper class professionals. Its campaign ideology was to advocate progressive and gradual reforms, rather than sudden, quick, radical ones, which fell in line with BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
policy at the time, to slowly let Singapore gain full self-government. This approach was criticised vehemently by David Saul Marshall
David Saul Marshall
David Saul Marshall was the leader of the Singapore Labour Front and became the first Chief Minister of Singapore in 1955....
, leader of the Labour Front
Labour Front
The Labour Front was a political party in Singapore. It was founded before the 1955 legislative council elections by David Saul Marshall, Singapore's first chief minister in 1955 and Lim Yew Hock, Singapore's second chief minister...
who instead wanted rapid reform. The locals (especially the Chinese), and the communists also blasted the Progressive Party, claiming that they are Hanjian
Hanjian
In Chinese culture, a Hanjian is a derogatory and pejorative term for a race traitor to the Han Chinese nation or state, and to a lesser extent, Han ethnicity. The word Hanjian is distinct from the general word for traitor, which could be used for any race or country...
, or traitors in Chinese.
Legislative Council
In the Legislative Council, the PP worked closely with the British Government. The PP fought for equal treatment with both local and European civil servants, but this did not please the Chinese-educated locals, who were very unhappy with the PP's Pro-British stance.CPF
Unknown to many people, the PP was credited for drafting a law for the setting up of a Central Provident FundCentral Provident Fund
In Singapore, the Central Provident Fund is a compulsory comprehensive savings plan for working Singaporeans and permanent residents primarily to fund their retirement, healthcare and housing needs. It is administered by the Central Provident Fund Board, a statutory board under the Ministry of...
, and it was approved by the British government in 1954, this CPF scheme provides financial security for workers in their retirement or for workers who were unable to work, this scheme came into effect in 1955, when David Marshall took office, and even after so many years, the CPF scheme despite having a few revisions and changes, remains in Singapore.
Downfall
With the introduction of the Rendel Constitution, more power was given to the locals, more legislative council seats up for grabs and more local could vote. The PP were not able to appeal to the electorate, as it had pro-colonial conservative policies. The electorate, mostly working-class Chinese, supported the more radical Labour FrontLabour Front
The Labour Front was a political party in Singapore. It was founded before the 1955 legislative council elections by David Saul Marshall, Singapore's first chief minister in 1955 and Lim Yew Hock, Singapore's second chief minister...
and the PAP
People's Action Party
The People's Action Party is the leading political party in Singapore. It has been the city-state's ruling political party since 1959....
. Nevertheless, the PP contested in 22 legislative councillor seats.
The PP failed to win the successive elections in the 1955 general elections
Singaporean general election, 1955
The 1955 Legislative Assembly General Elections was held in Singapore on 2 April 1955 to elect twenty-five elective seats on the Legislative Assembly...
, winning only 4 out of the 22 they contested, with none of their leaders in any seats. They merged with the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Singapore)
The Democratic Party was a shortlived party that was registered on 11 February 1955 by the people from Mandarin-speaking bourgeois who were members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.-Formation, the rise and the fall of DP:...
to form the Liberal Socialist Party
Liberal Socialist Party
The Liberal Socialist Party is a defunct political party which was formerly active within the politics of Singapore. It was formed in the 1950s from the merger of the Singapore Progressive Party and the Democratic Party , the latter not to be confused with the Singapore Democratic Party...
.