Rally speakers call on voters to keep WP team in Parliament
Supporters of The Workers' Party at the rally in Serangoon stadium on Sept 8, 2015. Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY
SINGAPORE — Speaking at the party’s home ground of Aljunied Group Representation Constituency, several Workers’ Party (WP) candidates called on voters in to retain the WP Members of Parliament who were elected in the previous General Election (GE) four years ago.
The WP held its penultimate rally at Serangoon Stadium, and the speakers reiterated the need for competition in politics, and balanced Parliament.
Ms Lee Li Lian, who is defending her Punggol East seat, reiterated that the party not only puts in its best over the nine days of campaigning but it has done so since the 2011 GE. For example, for the past four years, the party has been conducting house visits and other outreach activities, she said. “We have our duties on the ground as well as in Parliament,” she said. “This is not just to win an election but to also get to know you and understand your needs in order to serve you long term.”
Ms Lee noted that the Parliament is currently “lopsided”. As a result, the ruling party can pass any legislations and changes to the Constitution whether these are hotly debated, she said, citing the example of the Population White Paper.
Adding that “competition is good” in Parliament, she said that if there is only one party in power and there is no competition, then the government will become complacent. Citing the example of Venice which used to be a thriving city, Ms Lee said its leaders became complacent. “They started to care more about themselves than the people. Does this sound familiar to all of you?” she said.
The only way to “get rid of complacency” is to keep the ruling party “on its toes” so that it will not take its power for granted, Ms Lee argued.
WP first-time candidate Terence Tan, who is part of the party’s Marine Parade team, stressed that the party will put Singaporeans at the forefront of everything they do. “We will always remember to act in the best interest of Singaporeans and to keep our personal interest and own egos in check,” said Mr Tan.
