The Parliament serves as the legislative branch of government. Members of Parliament (MPs) consist of elected, non-constituency and nominated members. Elected MPs are voted into parliament on a plurality basis and represent either single-member or group-representation constituencies. The People’s Action Party won control of Parliament with large majorities in every election since self-governance was secured in 1959. However, in the most recent parliamentary elections in 2011, the opposition, led by the Workers’ Party, made significant gains and increased its representation in the House to 6 elected MPs.

The People’s Action Party

Singapore’s leading political party. Started in 1954 with a clear goal, to build a new country, born of the people, fired by their action and organised by the party. The party has been powerful since Singapore became independent, winning all the General Elections since independence. The party’s 3 secretary generals which include Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Chok Tong and Mr Lee Hsien Loong, have been the 3 Prime Ministers of Singapore.

Over the years, PAP has been a powerful political party in Singapore which continues to attract new people to join them and in each election, all candidates will be well trained and thus can be good leaders to make the future of Singapore brighter.

The party’s pledge: We, the members of the PAP, pledge ourselves to build a strong, united Party, to create a vibrant, just and equal society, through achieving excellence by all, so that every citizen, regardless of race, language or religion, can enjoy a full and happy life.

The Workers’ Party

The party was being set up by David Marshall in 1957. It is the Singapore’s leading opposition party. The party has done its utmost in every general election and 5 by-elections to provide the voters of Singapore with the choice of voting for candidates with a different political philosophy from that of candidates put up by the ruling PAP.

Aims

(1) The elimination of man’s exploitation of man.

(2) The general recognition in practice of the basic equality of all human beings.

(3) Equalisation of opportunities for the individual for full and free development within the framework of respect for the rights of all.

(4) Racial equality in practice in all spheres of public activity and equal respect in law for all racial cultures.

Objectives

(1) To organise and maintain a political party to give effect to the three-fold principle of Merdeka, Democracy (Parliamentary) and Socialism.

(2) To seek the elimination of colonial exploitation of Singapore and its people.

(3) To secure and maintain in Singapore the establishment of a Government based on Parliamentary Democracy and Socialism.

(4) To seek the unity of the Workers of Singapore.

(5) To promote the political, social and economic emancipation of the people of Singapore and particularly of the workers who depend directly on their exertion for their livelihood.

(6) To improve the food and living conditions of the workers to a standard compatible with human dignity and the exceptional wealth of Singapore.

(7) To co-operate with all and every lawful association where practicable for joint political and other action towards the achievement of the Party’s aims and objects including organisations in other countries and international organisations and associations, and to seek in common with such organisations the promotion of peace and establishment and defence of basic human rights and the radical readjustment of existing social and economic standards on equitable human principles.

The Singapore Democratic Party

It was founded in 1980 by Chiam See Tong. He was the first member of the party and was elected as the MP for Potong Pasir in 1984. In 1991, two further SDP members, Lin How Doong and Cheo Chai Chen were elected to the Parliament, thus the party had 3 Mps in total. The party focused more on liberal human rights agenda after Mr Chiam fell out with the party’s Central Exective Committee in 1993. Mr Chiam continued to win the MP seat in Potong Pasir but he left SDP for SPP (Singapore People’s Party) in 1997 after some internal party disputes.

The Singapore People’s Party

It is a political party that has Singapore’s long term interests at hearts which was established on 21st November 1994 . The party determined to upload parliamentary democracy in Singapore.
SPP provides constructive ideas and recommending sound policies in Parliament to improve Singaporeans’ lives. It upholds democracy, peace, progress, equality and justice in its policy making process. SPP believes that strong unity of the opposition parties in Singapore will bring the maximum effectiveness and benefits to Singapore citizens.

National Solidarity Party (Singapore)

Mission

NSP exists to uphold democracy, and to provide constructive ideas to benefit the Society. The Party positively promotes the establishment of a multi-party political system. It envisions being a credible and caring political party.

Political Ideology

NSP is a popular-based social democratic party of center-left alignment. It is pragmatic, progressive and treasures strong nationalist values eg. Sovereignty. While the Party is pro-business, it champions the working class at the same time.

Core Values

NSP believes in the human potential, dignity and rights of all people regardless of race, language and religion. The Party is committed towards the building of a more open, dynamic, vibrant and inclusive society through consensus and the democratic process. It also values the contribution of each and every member towards the promotion of its potential cause. The Party activates its core values through its motto: Service to Society.

Singapore Democratic Alliance

The leader of the Singapore People’s Party, Mr Chiam See Tong, founded SDA in 2001. The party was form to provide a common grouping under which different positions parties could stand together, united, to fight against the People’s Action Party in elections.