PAP members, friends sent PM Lawrence Wong messages to prepare for worst in GE2025

Key Concepts

General Election (GE) 2025: The specific election discussed, characterized as a difficult and intense contest.
Cost of Living Pressures: A significant issue influencing voters' concerns.
Opposition Strategy: Accusations of the opposition exploiting anxieties and blaming the ruling party.
Support Packages: Government initiatives to alleviate cost of living pressures, appreciated by citizens.
Desire for Opposition Voices: A sentiment among Singaporeans for checks and balances on the ruling party.
External Environment Uncertainty: A factor that could have influenced voting behavior.
GE 2020 Precedent: A past election where the ruling party's vote share fell despite a global crisis.
Tactical Changes: Adjustments made to the ruling party's candidate lineup.
Ground Engagement: Extensive campaigning efforts by candidates and activists.
Vigilance against Racial/Religious Sentiments: Efforts to counter attempts to exploit these issues for political gain.
Close Constituencies: Key electoral districts where the outcome was uncertain until the end.
Predictions of Lower Vote Share: Pre-election forecasts suggesting a decline in the ruling party's support, especially for a new Prime Minister.
Humility and Gratitude: The prevailing emotions of the speaker post-election.
Power of the People: The ultimate authority of Singaporean voters in deciding election outcomes.
Serving Fellow Singaporeans: The core mission of the ruling party.
Swift Loss of Mandate: The potential for a strong mandate to be quickly revoked.
Respect for the People's Voice: The importance of heeding and taking seriously the electorate's decisions.
Trust: The confidence placed in the ruling party by voters, not taken lightly.
Tampines and Punggol GRCs: Specific constituencies where the ruling party's victory was crucial.
Workers' Party Strategy: The opposition party's perceived appeal to Malay Muslim voters.
Social Cohesion: The importance of maintaining unity and avoiding division.
DPM GOH: Deputy Prime Minister GOH, whose proven abilities were highlighted.
Clear-Eyed and United People: The description of Singaporeans as discerning and cohesive voters.
Stability, Progress, and Unity: The values Singaporeans are seen to stand for.
PAP's Consistent Support: The ruling party's historical alignment with the interests of Singaporeans.

GE 2025: A Tough and Intense Election

The General Election (GE) 2025 was anticipated to be a challenging contest. Cost of living pressures were a primary concern for many Singaporeans, a global issue that the opposition, it is argued, amplified to create anxiety and frustration, attempting to attribute blame to the ruling party. While Singaporeans acknowledged and appreciated the support packages provided by the government, with some expressing a desire for more such assistance ("Thank you for the vouchers. Please give us more."), they also voiced a need for more opposition voices to check on the ruling party. This sentiment was taken seriously, leading the ruling party to engage with the public, emphasizing their record, sincerity, and future plans.

Pre-Election Environment and Lessons from GE 2020

Despite predictions that an uncertain external environment might lead to a "flight to safety" for voters, the speaker drew no comfort from this, recalling the GE 2020 election. Held amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, GE 2020 saw a decline in the ruling party's vote share and a doubling of opposition seats, indicating that a crisis did not automatically translate to a "flight to safety." This experience underscored the need to take nothing for granted, and GE 2025 indeed proved to be a tough and intense fight.

Campaign Strategy and Vigilance

Significant tactical changes were made to the ruling party's lineup right up to nomination day. For nine consecutive days, candidates and activists actively engaged with residents across the island, rallying supporters and meeting with the public. A key focus was maintaining vigilance against attempts, both internal and external, to fan racial and religious sentiments for political gain. Leading up to the final day of campaigning, several key constituencies remained too close to call.

Pre-Election Predictions and Mental Preparation

The speaker received messages from party members and friends who sought to prepare them for potential outcomes. These predictions included a lower vote share for a new Prime Minister, the potential loss of one or two single seats, and even the possibility of losing one or two Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). The speaker was mentally prepared for all outcomes, acknowledging the circulation of these predictions.

Post-Election Reflections: Humility and Gratitude

Upon the release of the results, those who had previously sent cautionary messages offered apologies, but the speaker emphasized that their caution was valid, as no one can be certain of an election outcome until the votes are counted. While the media described the victory as a "landslide," the speaker personally viewed it differently, highlighting the very tough fights in several constituencies and the potential for a different outcome with even a small swing against the ruling party.

This experience fostered an overwhelming sense of humility and gratitude.

Humility: The Power of the People

Humility stemmed from the realization that power ultimately lies with the people. The ruling party, its Members of Parliament (MPs), branch chairs, and activists can only strive to do their best; Singaporeans decide. This understanding keeps the party grounded and reinforces their commitment to serve fellow Singaporeans. The speaker stressed that a strong mandate can be swiftly taken away, emphasizing that the voice of the people is awesome, to be respected, feared, and always taken seriously.

Gratitude: Trust and Responsibility

Gratitude was expressed for the trust Singaporeans placed in the speaker and their team, a trust that is not taken lightly. The commitment was made to work hard daily to honor this trust. Particular gratitude was extended for the voters' support in Tampines and Punggol GRCs.

Significance of Tampines and Punggol Victories

The potential loss of these two GRCs would have sent a serious and far-reaching message. Losing Tampines would have validated the Workers' Party's perceived strategy of appealing to Malay Muslim voters, potentially encouraging other parties to adopt similar tactics, which could harm social cohesion and lead to a divided Singapore. The loss of Punggol would have sent the wrong message that voters did not value the proven abilities and steady leadership of an experienced minister like DPM GOH, resulting in Singapore losing a capable leader.

A Clear Message to the World

Instead, the strong mandate given to the PAP by Singaporeans sends a clear message to the world: Singaporeans take elections seriously, understand what is at stake, do not gamble with their collective achievements, and are not swayed by populist or racially tinged appeals. This allows the speaker to engage with counterparts and foreign leaders with quiet confidence, speaking on behalf of a clear-eyed and united people who stand for stability, progress, and unity, and who stand with the PAP because the party has always stood with them.