More rookies 'a measure of opposition progress'

• Clivebenss

  28 Mar 11, 12:58

  Mar 28, 2011 - Straits Times
  

  But voter support is key to cement momentum, says Low Thia Khiang

  By Kor Kian Beng

  
  

  WORKERS' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang is cheered by reports that at least 40 first-time opposition candidates will contest the next election, and says it is a measure of the progress made by the opposition camp.

  
  

  But he urged voters on Sunday to help cement this development by turning support into votes which ensure these candidates enter Parliament as elected MPs.

  Mr Low, 54, said the opposition would otherwise not grow or be able to attract talented people who are keen on contributing to the political process here.

  'If Singaporeans don't support the opposition and think, 'Never mind, I welcome you to contest but I will vote for the PAP', we could end up like the situation we had in 2001 or in 1997 where you didn't have much of a choice,' he said.

  The opposition won four seats in the 1991 election, but only Mr Low and Potong Pasir MP Chiam See Tong retained their seats in 1997. In 2001 and since then, the opposition has been unable to build on the two elected representatives.

  He described this as a process of having taken 'a step forward, and three steps backwards'.

• likeyou

  28 Mar 11, 13:01

  The opposition won four seats in the 1991 election, but only Mr Low and Potong Pasir MP Chiam See Tong retained their seats in 1997. In 2001 and since then, the opposition has been unable to build on the two elected representatives.

  That is the problem facing by opposition parties.

• tranquilice

  29 Mar 11, 01:15

  Originally posted by likeyou:

  That is the problem facing by opposition parties.

  
  They need more support from the voters.

   

• likeyou

  29 Mar 11, 08:06

  Originally posted by tranquilice:

  
  They need more support from the voters.

   

  
  Genuine supporters and not those come and listen only.