Workers’ Party (WP) MP Jamus Lim has responded to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s criticism of the party’s policy positions, arguing that justified changes demonstrate wisdom and maturity.
PAP’s digital platform Petir subsequently replied that the issue was how a party’s positions fit together, including whether it accounted for the trade-offs and consequences.
Both responses were posted on Facebook on 25 October, following PM Wong’s speech at the PAP Awards and Conference earlier that day.
Lim Says Parties Should Be Willing To Adjust
CNA reported that Lim, an MP for Sengkang GRC, described PM Wong’s criticism as an “incredible double standard”, pointing to what he characterised as policy reversals by the PAP.
The Straits Times reported that his examples included the former Stop at Two population policy, unemployment insurance and the repeal of Section 377A.
Lim argued that political parties should welcome policy changes when there are good reasons for them. Correcting an earlier mistake, he said, showed “wisdom and maturity, not opportunism”.
He also argued that debate and feedback help improve policy, and that maintaining core principles should not mean refusing to reconsider outdated ideas.
He Disputes The Housing And Manpower Comparisons
PM Wong had argued that WP’s positions were not always consistent or coherent, citing housing supply and foreign manpower.
On housing, he contrasted what he described as WP’s call for fewer new flats in 2019 with its criticism in 2023 that the Government had built too few.
Lim disputed that framing. He said WP’s earlier comments concerned lease decay, a long-term housing issue, rather than the short-term construction disruptions caused by COVID-19.
On foreign manpower, Lim said WP did not fundamentally object to having a foreign workforce. Its concern, he said, was the speed of inflows and the resulting pressure on physical infrastructure and institutions.
Petir Says Policy Changes Need A Coherent Rationale
In its subsequent response, reported by 8world, Petir said there was no disagreement that parties should adjust policies when circumstances change.
It argued that the key question was whether a party’s different positions formed a coherent approach, and whether it confronted the associated trade-offs and consequences.
The Straits Times reported that Petir questioned whether WP’s foreign manpower proposals reflected a considered approach or shifts towards whichever concern was most pressing.
Petir said changes could follow new evidence, changing circumstances or lessons learnt. However, it argued that parties needed to explain their reasoning and consider the wider consequences of those changes.
