Workers' Party chief mulls over GRC bid

• Clivebenss

  17 Mar 11, 13:09

  Mar 17, 2011 - Straits Times

  Low Thia Khiang believes a GRC win is crucial for opposition

  By Jeremy Au Yong & Kor Kian Beng

  
  

  WORKERS' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang is mulling a 'high-stakes' decision: to stay in Hougang or contest a group representation constituency (GRC) at the next general election.

  Responding to questions from The Straits Times at his Meet-the-People session last night, the opposition stalwart and MP for the Hougang single-seat constituency disclosed that he had been thinking about leading a GRC bid even before the 2006 polls.

  'Contesting a GRC is an option open to me,' said Mr Low. 'And if I do take up that option, I will explain on Nomination Day the reasons.'

  He stressed, however, that the decision is not one he or the WP takes lightly because it is 'a serious matter and the stakes are very high'.

  Speculation that Mr Low, who turns 55 in September, might leave Hougang for a GRC was reignited last weekend by remarks he made during a walkabout in East Coast GRC.

  He stressed that a GRC win was crucial if the opposition hoped to grow and renew its leadership.

• Singapore AFOL

  17 Mar 11, 13:29

  Jia you Mr Low.

  I will support u whatever choice u make.

• iveco

  17 Mar 11, 15:46

  If he wants to contest GRC he should try Aljunied. HG SMC is completely surrounded by Aljunied.

• likeyou

  17 Mar 11, 15:48

  He might not be able to win if he move out of his favourite hg.

• Singapore AFOL

  17 Mar 11, 15:50

  Winning a GRC is impossible currently.

  Better guard hougang smc well.

• likeyou

  17 Mar 11, 15:53

  Is he planing for retirement after this ge, so that he can pass the baton to his successor without waiting for the next ge?

• Seowlah

  17 Mar 11, 16:24

  Originally posted by Singapore AFOL:

  Winning a GRC is impossible currently.

  Better guard hougang smc well.

  LTK has assembled a very strong GRC team including a member with degree from Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge and this member sits on the advsiory board of the SMU Law Faculty.

  There are many issues now that the voters are unhappy with the PAP government.

  Even if WP did not win the GRC, it can easily be the opposition party with the highest votes and there will be 5 WP NCMPs in the next parliament.

  WP Chairman should be able to retain the Hougang SMC as LTK will still campaign actively in Hougang SMC with her.

  Hence, WP can have at least 6 MPs or 1 MP and 5 NCMPs in the next parliament.

   

• likeyou

  17 Mar 11, 16:25

  Shouldnt the rest of the opp reconcile with low?

• Singapore AFOL

  17 Mar 11, 22:28

  Opp should form a party to fight PAP one on one.

  When all chopsticks put together become strong

• Junyang700

  18 Mar 11, 00:32

  Aljunied GRC possible to win if Sylvia Lim, Low Thia Khiang and Gerald Giam inside the team.
  
  East Coast GRC would be more of a suicide, with all the rich people living in it.
  
  My opinion - (Aljunied GRC with Sylvia and Gerald) or (Hougang SMC).

• likeyou

  18 Mar 11, 00:36

  Originally posted by Singapore AFOL:

  Opp should form a party to fight PAP one on one.

  When all chopsticks put together become strong

  
  You are right.

• Junyang700

  18 Mar 11, 00:39

  Originally posted by Singapore AFOL:

  Opp should form a party to fight PAP one on one.

  When all chopsticks put together become strong

  AMK GRC.

• Askingyouto

  18 Mar 11, 00:39

  They should make a decision long ago with proper planning, not now, it is a bit too late.

• Junyang700

  18 Mar 11, 00:48

  All parties are hesitating, frankly speaking.
  
  This time round, WP and SDP seems to be one of the most tight lipped amongst all.

• iveco

  18 Mar 11, 09:23

  WP should try Nee Soon GRC and put Poh Lee Guan in charge of the team. It was he who brought down Ho Peng Kee's majority over 2 elections. Now Nee Soon East is part of Nee Soon GRC, along with Nee Soon Central and Nee Soon South.

• ditzy

  18 Mar 11, 09:26

  There will never be a GRC that will fall into opposition's hands ever. Period.

• Singapore AFOL

  18 Mar 11, 10:57

  Originally posted by ditzy:

  There will never be a GRC that will fall into opposition's hands ever. Period.

  
  Enous GRC alsmot fall in 1988.

  U can never be too sure.

  It's a matter of time.

• ditzy

  18 Mar 11, 11:03

  Originally posted by Singapore AFOL:

  
  Enous GRC alsmot fall in 1988.

  U can never be too sure.

  It's a matter of time.

  Almost almost almost how many times already still almost.

• Nelstar

  18 Mar 11, 11:15

  Originally posted by ditzy:

  Almost almost almost how many times already still almost.

  I almost strike Toto first prize but I got no prize money. 5 years later, maybe got chance to strike Toto.

  

• Clivebenss

  18 Mar 11, 14:53

  that's why they like thunder strike.

  one strike mati.

  

• Nelstar

  18 Mar 11, 15:30

  They are like X-men. They can control lightning.

  Lightning does not strike twice, but in Singapore, it does.

  Bending nature to their whims!

  

• Singapore AFOL

  18 Mar 11, 15:32

  Originally posted by ditzy:

  There will never be a GRC that will fall into opposition's hands ever. Period.

  
  Can u imagine in the year 2400, we are still under PAP's rule?

  If so, PAP can file for world record as the longest ruling party.

  Even MM Lee in his book state that PAP will not last forever.

• Nelstar

  18 Mar 11, 15:39

  Originally posted by Singapore AFOL:

  
  Can u imagine in the year 2400, we are still under PAP's rule?

  If so, PAP can file for world record as the longest ruling party.

  Even MM Lee in his book state that PAP will not last forever.

  No, you will not be in PAP's rule in year 2400. They cannot set any more rules to affect you.

  That's because you're dead by then.

  

• ditzy

  18 Mar 11, 16:03

  Originally posted by Singapore AFOL:

  
  Can u imagine in the year 2400, we are still under PAP's rule?

  If so, PAP can file for world record as the longest ruling party.

  Even MM Lee in his book state that PAP will not last forever.

  I am so not surprised.

• Edd1

  18 Mar 11, 19:35

  I read a book they show 4 parties. 1984 and 2008

  in 1984

  PAP:LKY show a paper.It's the year Budget: Pay and Pay

  WP:JBJ:Why Pay?

  SDP:Chiam See Tong: So Don't Pay 

  in 2008

  PAP:LHL show a paper.also budget : Poor also Pay

  WP:LTK: Whatever Pay

  SPP:Chiam See Tong: So Please Pay.