After 65 years of uninterrupted rule, Singapore’s People’s Action Party (PAP) is bracing for one of its toughest electoral battles yet, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong signalling a shift in tactics to keep pace with an electorate expecting more opposition voices.
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While some analysts argue that the party has already been engaging citizens through various feedback structures, others suggest that the efforts may not be sufficient to address the changing expectations of more informed voters.
Speaking at the PAP’s 70th anniversary celebrations on Sunday to some 3,000 party volunteers, Wong said when the political landscape was less contested, the party could afford to stay in the background while the government would engage citizens, explain policies, and solicit feedback and ideas.
“But PAP can no longer operate from the back. We must come out in front – to explain our policies, to mobilise citizens for the causes that we believe in, to engage Singaporeans on the issues they care about, and importantly, to show them why they can trust and depend on the PAP to provide leadership for Singapore,” he said.
Wong outlined the steps the party had taken to renew itself including launching a PAP mobile app and the Refresh PAP initiative, which engaged over 2,300 activists and partners over six months to renew its mission. Following this initiative, the party signalled a commitment to fostering broader, two-way communication with Singaporeans.
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Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that he would propose electing Wong as the next secretary general during the coming PAP central executive committee meeting, which is expected to take place in the next few weeks. This means the prime minister will be leading the party into the next general election, which is due to be called by November next year.
Wong told volunteers on Sunday a “modest swing in popular votes” against the party could lead to very different electoral outcomes, such as the loss of another three or four multi-seat constituencies. “That means we lose four or five ministers, or a quarter of the cabinet.”