Eight Political Parties Present Campaign Messages in First GE2025 Broadcast

By
Zhi Hao
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On 25 Apr 2025, eight political parties presented their campaign messages in the first party political broadcast for GE2025.

The broadcast, which aired on television and radio, featured messages from parties fielding at least six candidates, with speaking time allocated based on the number of candidates fielded.

Here’s what each party said and the key points they hammered home.

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People’s Action Party (PAP)

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, speaking for the People’s Action Party (PAP), framed the election as a choice about Singapore’s future in an increasingly turbulent world.

“After the dust from the campaign settles, the contest will not be the PAP versus the Opposition. It will be Singapore versus the world – a turbulent world with a multitude of external challenges and threats,” Wong said.

He warned that “the external conditions that have underpinned our survival, security and success for decades are now coming apart,” drawing parallels between current circumstances and historical moments like Singapore’s separation from Malaysia.

Wong highlighted the PAP’s efforts to help citizens cope with rising costs, citing the 2025 Budget and the creation of the Economic Resilience Taskforce led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. He also mentioned that the government is closely monitoring the US tariff situation and will increase support if conditions worsen.

“This is our assurance to you: we will continue supporting you for as long as help is needed. We will always have your back,” he stated.

Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)

Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Alfred Tan outlined the party’s plan to lower living costs by reducing GST to seven or five percent and scrapping it for everyday essential items.

He also proposed a Non-Open Market scheme for BTO flats to cut out land costs, and measures to lower medical expenses.

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They will also make sure to prioritise Singaporeans and lower the “influx” of foreign PMETs.

A Minimum Wage Act will also be introduced.

National Solidarity Party (NSP)

National Solidarity Party (NSP) president Reno Fong promised to fight for a “real” minimum living wage, CPF reform, and prioritizing small businesses.

The party also called for Build-to-Order flats to be priced at cost and a scheme where all visits to general practitioners would cost $10.

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They promised to abolish streaming, create a youth assembly and grant free pre-school for every child as well.

Red Dot United (RDU)

Red Dot United (RDU) Secretary-General Ravi Philemon proposed reducing GST back to 7 percent and introducing a Citizen’s Dividend, described as a “direct, unconditional payout to Singaporeans” that is “a rightful share of the wealth you helped create.”

On housing, RDU proposed making every HDB estate eligible for redevelopment, introducing Rent-to-Own schemes, and expanding public rental housing.

He is also offering a new version of the 5Cs: CDC vouchers, cash handouts, CPF top-ups, conservancy rebates and CHAS card discounts.

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People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR)

People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR) chief Lim Tean said his party would push for GST to be exempted from essential items such as food, groceries, utilities, education, healthcare, and medical services if elected.

On public housing, he promised to stop permanent residents from buying resale HDB flats, claiming this has caused “much of the astronomical surge in HDB resale prices.”

He also stated that the PAR will work towards free education, school food and healthcare for all Singaporean children, thus ensuring a lower cost of living for parents.

This way, they will be more encouraged to have children, which would counteract our “disastrous total fertility rate.”

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Workers’ Party (WP)

Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh emphasized the importance of democratic checks and balances, stating that it is “important for Singapore’s democracy for the WP to win more constituencies.”

“One or even two more WP GRCs can easily be lost; nothing can be taken for granted. With more WP constituencies comes a higher chance that Parliament will continue to have a fully-elected democratic opposition presence for the longer term,” Singh said.

He shared that WP town councils are run as effectively as PAP town councils, noting that the latest town council management report in 2024 gave Aljunied-Hougang Town Council and Sengkang Town Council green ratings on all indicators.

Singh also highlighted an instance in March 2023 when WP MPs’ presence was crucial to pass a constitutional amendment when several PAP MPs were absent. “If not for the WP MPs, the PAP government would not have had enough votes to get the Constitutional amendment passed that day,” he stated.

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Progress Singapore Party (PSP)

Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chairman Tan Cheng Bock said that with only 13 candidates fielded in GE2025, it would be impossible for PSP to form the government. However, he promised that if elected, they would “speak up fearlessly” and push for their policy proposals.

“What we need is a more balanced Parliament that represents the diverse views of Singaporeans. We need more loyal opposition that proposes constructive alternative policies,” Tan said.

He noted that many new PAP candidates come from the civil service or military backgrounds and will be “parachuted into Parliament alongside ministers in safe GRCs.”

People’s Power Party (PPP)

People’s Power Party (PPP) candidate Vere Nathan warned that “trust cannot be derived from the system of ‘ownself checks ownself’, but through a rigorous process of proper independent checks and balances.”

He also called on Singaporeans to pick candidates who “will bring the torch of truth to every level and department of government to illuminate transparency, accountability and competency.”

Second Broadcast

The second and final political broadcast will air on 1 May, giving parties a final opportunity to reach voters before the end of the campaign period.

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Zhi Hao
Email: [email protected]