Singapore People's Party
Encyclopedia
The Singapore People's Party (abbrev
: SPP; ) is a left of centre
opposition political party in Singapore
. The party's leader is Chiam See Tong
.
faction out of the Singapore Democratic Party
(SDP). For three years, Sin was the stand-in leader of the party, until Chiam joined the party and became its leader after Parliament
was dissolved ahead of the 1997 general election. Chiam then became the party's first Member of Parliament
(MP) when he won the constituency of Potong Pasir
at the election (he had previously represented the same constituency as an SDP MP).
(SDA), along with the National Solidarity Party (NSP), the Singapore Justice Party
(SJP) and the Singapore Malay National Organisation
(PKMS). Chiam became the founding Chairman of SDA, which aimed to provide a common grouping under which different oppositition parties could stand as a united front in elections against the ruling People's Action Party
(PAP).
At the 2001 general election
, Chiam was returned to Parliament as MP for Potong Pasir. Though Chiam was the only SDA member to win an elected seat in Parliament, he was joined in Parliament by SDA member Steve Chia
(the leader of the National Solidarity Party) who became a non-constituency MP
after securing 34.6% of the votes in the constituency of Chua Chu Kang
, which was the highest percentage of the vote secured by a losing opposition candidate at the election. The result made Chiam the de facto leader of the opposition in Parliament, as the SDA had two representatives (Chiam and Chia), whereas the only other opposition party represented in Parliament (the Worker's Party
) had only one (Hougang
MP Low Thia Khiang
).
At the 2006 general election
, Chiam was again re-elected as MP for Potong Pasir. However the SDA did not win any other seats. Steve Chia lost his position as a non-constituency MP. Though Chia increased his share of the vote in Chua Chu Kang to 39.63%, this was lower than the 43.9% gained by the Worker's Party in Aljunied GRC
. The role of de facto leader of the opposition in Parliament therefore passed from Chiam to the Worker's Party leader Low Thia Khiang.
In 2010, Chiam tried to bring the Reform Party
into the SDA. He reportedly accepted the conditions the Reform Party set out for joining the alliance, but the terms of entry were opposed by other members of the SDA's Council who blocked the move. Chiam also suffered a mild stroke in 2008, following which he had to cut back on some of his political activities. This led some members of the SDA's Council to question whether he was able to properly fulfil his role of Chairman of the alliance.
On 28 February 2011, the SDA's Council voted to relieve Chiam of his role as Chairman, however the Council stressed that they still hoped to field Chiam as a candidate at the next general election. Chiam had earlier announced that he planned to stand in a Group Representation Constituency rather than in the Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency at the next general election. Two days later, on 2 March 2011, Chiam announced that the Singapore People's Party was withdrawing from the SDA, and that he would stand under the banner of the SPP instead of the SDA at the next general election.
became an SPP candidate in the Potong Pasir
Single Member Constituency, Chiam See Tong
's former constituency. Her husband became a candidate with other SPP candidates in a Group Representation Constituency and contested for Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency
. This candidacy is a first for Lina Loh Woon Lee although she had campaigned with her husband over the years in many general elections in Singapore. She holds the 2nd Vice Chairman post in the SPP.
However, none of the SPP's candidates in the 2011 general election attained a majority in any constituency they contested. The PAP won the seats of Hong Kah North, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and Chiam's former seat of Potong Pasir. In overall terms, the SPP managed to clinch 41.42% (62,504 votes) of the total number of votes in the constituencies that it contested in. Potong Pasir SMC was lost by Lina Loh Woon Lee with the narrowest margin of 0.72%. Lina Loh Woon Lee polled the highest amongst all losing candidates of all opposition parties in the 2011 general election. As such, she was entitled to take up a seat as a Non-constituency Member of Parliament
and she accepted the seat.
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...
: SPP; ) is a left of centre
Centre-left
Centre-left is a political term that describes individuals, political parties or organisations such as think tanks whose ideology lies between the centre and the left on the left-right spectrum...
opposition political party in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. The party's leader is Chiam See Tong
Chiam See Tong
Chiam See Tong is a politician and lawyer from Singapore. He is the country's longest-serving opposition Member of Parliament . Between 1984 and 2011, he represented the constituency of Potong Pasir in Singapore's Parliament....
.
Foundation
The SPP was founded in 1994 by Sin Kek Tong, who led a pro-Chiam See TongChiam See Tong
Chiam See Tong is a politician and lawyer from Singapore. He is the country's longest-serving opposition Member of Parliament . Between 1984 and 2011, he represented the constituency of Potong Pasir in Singapore's Parliament....
faction out of the Singapore Democratic Party
Singapore Democratic Party
The Singapore Democratic Party is an opposition political party in Singapore.The party was founded in 1980 by Chiam See Tong, who as Secretary-General became the party's first Member of Parliament in 1984 when he was elected as MP for Potong Pasir...
(SDP). For three years, Sin was the stand-in leader of the party, until Chiam joined the party and became its leader after Parliament
Parliament of Singapore
The Parliament of the Republic of Singapore and the President jointly make up the legislature of Singapore. Parliament is unicameral and is made up of Members of Parliament who are elected, as well as Non-constituency Members of Parliament and Nominated Members of Parliament who are appointed...
was dissolved ahead of the 1997 general election. Chiam then became the party's first Member of Parliament
Parliament of Singapore
The Parliament of the Republic of Singapore and the President jointly make up the legislature of Singapore. Parliament is unicameral and is made up of Members of Parliament who are elected, as well as Non-constituency Members of Parliament and Nominated Members of Parliament who are appointed...
(MP) when he won the constituency of Potong Pasir
Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency
Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency is a Single Member Constituency in the central region of Singapore.-Location:The SMC encompasses Potong Pasir, Lorong 8 Toa Payoh and Tannery...
at the election (he had previously represented the same constituency as an SDP MP).
Membership of the Singapore Democratic Alliance
In 2001, the SPP became a founding member of the Singapore Democratic AllianceSingapore Democratic Alliance
The Singapore Democratic Alliance is an alliance of political parties in Singapore. The SDA was formed shortly before the 2001 general election to provide a common grouping under which different opposition parties could stand as a united front in elections against the ruling People's Action Party...
(SDA), along with the National Solidarity Party (NSP), the Singapore Justice Party
Singapore Justice Party
The Justice Party, Singapore is a political party in Singapore.The party has been based mostly in Marine Parade district of Singapore since the party has taken part in general elections after 1988 by fielding its candidates only at Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency...
(SJP) and the Singapore Malay National Organisation
Singapore Malay National Organisation
The Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura is a political party in Singapore. The party recently concluded their AGM on 8th August 2010. The current president is Mr Ali bin Asjadi, while the party's secretary general is Mr Mohd Nazem Suki.-External links:*Related Links:...
(PKMS). Chiam became the founding Chairman of SDA, which aimed to provide a common grouping under which different oppositition parties could stand as a united front in elections against the ruling People's Action Party
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....
(PAP).
At the 2001 general election
Singapore general election, 2001
The Singapore parliamentary general elections of 2001 were held on 3 November. The People's Action Party, the incumbent ruling party, won 82 out of 84 seats in the election, including 55 walkovers...
, Chiam was returned to Parliament as MP for Potong Pasir. Though Chiam was the only SDA member to win an elected seat in Parliament, he was joined in Parliament by SDA member Steve Chia
Steve Chia
Steve Chia Kiah Hong is a politician from Singapore. He is the former Secretary-General and current Treasurer of the opposition National Solidarity Party...
(the leader of the National Solidarity Party) who became a non-constituency MP
Non-Constituency Member of Parliament
Non-Constituency Members of Parliament are members of the opposition parties who are appointed as members of the Parliament of Singapore even though they had lost in the parliamentary election....
after securing 34.6% of the votes in the constituency of Chua Chu Kang
Chua Chu Kang Single Member Constituency
Chua Chu Kang Single Member Constituency is a defunct Single Member Constituency located in the western region of Singapore. The constituency encompasses Choa Chu Kang New Town...
, which was the highest percentage of the vote secured by a losing opposition candidate at the election. The result made Chiam the de facto leader of the opposition in Parliament, as the SDA had two representatives (Chiam and Chia), whereas the only other opposition party represented in Parliament (the Worker's Party
Workers' Party of Singapore
The Workers' Party of Singapore is a centre-left opposition political party in Singapore. The party currently has six elected seats in Parliament, with the party's Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang, Chairman Sylvia Lim, Chen Show Mao, Muhamad Faisal Manap and Pritam Singh serving as Members of...
) had only one (Hougang
Hougang Single Member Constituency
Hougang Single Member Constituency is a Single Member Constituency whose borders roughly enclose the town of Hougang, located in the north-eastern area of Singapore. The boundary includes a portion of Hougang and is an opposition held seat with its Member of Parliament the Workers' Party's Yaw...
MP Low Thia Khiang
Low Thia Khiang
Low Thia Khiang is a politician and businessman from Singapore. He is currently the leader of the opposition Workers' Party, and since 1991 has been a Member of Parliament representing the constituency of Hougang until 2011 where he contested and won in Aljunied GRC. He is in charge of the Bedok...
).
At the 2006 general election
Singapore general election, 2006
The 2006 Singapore parliamentary general election was held on 6 May 2006. 1.22 million out of the 2.16 million eligible Singaporeans voted for Members of Parliament and elected their next government. The People's Action Party , in its first election under Lee Hsien Loong, won 66.6% of the overall...
, Chiam was again re-elected as MP for Potong Pasir. However the SDA did not win any other seats. Steve Chia lost his position as a non-constituency MP. Though Chia increased his share of the vote in Chua Chu Kang to 39.63%, this was lower than the 43.9% gained by the Worker's Party in Aljunied GRC
Aljunied Group Representation Constituency
Aljunied Group Representation Constituency is a five-member group representation constituency in the north-eastern region of Singapore. The GRC consists of a large part of Hougang, Serangoon Gardens, a portion of Bedok and Aljunied...
. The role of de facto leader of the opposition in Parliament therefore passed from Chiam to the Worker's Party leader Low Thia Khiang.
Withdrawal from the Singapore Democratic Alliance
The NSP withdrew from the SDA in 2007, but the SPP remained in the alliance with the SJP and PKMS.In 2010, Chiam tried to bring the Reform Party
Reform Party (Singapore)
The Reform Party is a political party in Singapore. It was founded in 2008 by the late Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam, and is currently headed by his son Kenneth Jeyaretnam, who succeeded him as party secretary-general after the elder Jeyaretnam died in 2008...
into the SDA. He reportedly accepted the conditions the Reform Party set out for joining the alliance, but the terms of entry were opposed by other members of the SDA's Council who blocked the move. Chiam also suffered a mild stroke in 2008, following which he had to cut back on some of his political activities. This led some members of the SDA's Council to question whether he was able to properly fulfil his role of Chairman of the alliance.
On 28 February 2011, the SDA's Council voted to relieve Chiam of his role as Chairman, however the Council stressed that they still hoped to field Chiam as a candidate at the next general election. Chiam had earlier announced that he planned to stand in a Group Representation Constituency rather than in the Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency at the next general election. Two days later, on 2 March 2011, Chiam announced that the Singapore People's Party was withdrawing from the SDA, and that he would stand under the banner of the SPP instead of the SDA at the next general election.
Lina Loh Woon Lee
For the Singapore General Election 2011, Lina Loh Woon Lee (sometimes referred to as Lina Chiam), the wife of Chiam See TongChiam See Tong
Chiam See Tong is a politician and lawyer from Singapore. He is the country's longest-serving opposition Member of Parliament . Between 1984 and 2011, he represented the constituency of Potong Pasir in Singapore's Parliament....
became an SPP candidate in the Potong Pasir
Potong Pasir
Potong Pasir is an area located between Toa Payoh and Sennett Estate in the North-East Region of Singapore. For urban planning purposes, it is classified under the Toa Payoh area. Potong Pasir is particularly notable for being the longest-held opposition ward in one-party dominant Singapore...
Single Member Constituency, Chiam See Tong
Chiam See Tong
Chiam See Tong is a politician and lawyer from Singapore. He is the country's longest-serving opposition Member of Parliament . Between 1984 and 2011, he represented the constituency of Potong Pasir in Singapore's Parliament....
's former constituency. Her husband became a candidate with other SPP candidates in a Group Representation Constituency and contested for Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency
Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency
Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency is a five-member Group Representation Constituency located in the central region of Singapore. The GRC consists the entire areas of Bishan, the majority of Toa Payoh and parts of Thomson...
. This candidacy is a first for Lina Loh Woon Lee although she had campaigned with her husband over the years in many general elections in Singapore. She holds the 2nd Vice Chairman post in the SPP.
However, none of the SPP's candidates in the 2011 general election attained a majority in any constituency they contested. The PAP won the seats of Hong Kah North, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and Chiam's former seat of Potong Pasir. In overall terms, the SPP managed to clinch 41.42% (62,504 votes) of the total number of votes in the constituencies that it contested in. Potong Pasir SMC was lost by Lina Loh Woon Lee with the narrowest margin of 0.72%. Lina Loh Woon Lee polled the highest amongst all losing candidates of all opposition parties in the 2011 general election. As such, she was entitled to take up a seat as a Non-constituency Member of Parliament
Non-Constituency Member of Parliament
Non-Constituency Members of Parliament are members of the opposition parties who are appointed as members of the Parliament of Singapore even though they had lost in the parliamentary election....
and she accepted the seat.