List of political parties in Singapore
This is a list of political parties in Singapore, including existing and historical ones. The earliest political parties were established in the lead-up to Singapore first Legislative Council elections in 1948. Singapore is a republic. While the country has a multi-party system, the dominant political party have often been the People's Action Party since 1965, along with the main opposition party, the Workers' Party. Minority governments are uncommon, as elections have not resulted in a hung parliament since independence.
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Legislative power is vested in parliament, which consists of the president as its head and a single chamber whose members are elected by popular vote. The role of the president as the head of state has been, historically, largely ceremonial although the constitution was amended in 1991 to give the president some veto powers in a few key decisions such as the use of the national reserves, as well as the appointment of key judiciary, civil service and Singapore Armed Forces posts. They also exercise powers over national security matters.
Singapore has consistently been rated as the most least-corrupt country in Asia and globally amongst the top five by Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, and the degree of accountability and transparency is reflected in the public's high level of satisfaction with the political institutions. Thomas Friedman of the New York Times also considers the country's civil service to be one of the most efficient and uncorrupt bureaucracies in the world, with a high standard of discipline and accountability.[1] The World Bank's governance indicators have also rated Singapore highly on rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.[2]
History
Pre-independence
Amongst the oldest parties, the Malay Union, traced its history back to 14 May 1926, was initially a non-political association as the party only participated in the 1955 election. The Progressive Party and Labour Party, both established in the late 1940s, were some of the pioneering local establishments, with the PP the only party to contest in the first elections in 1948, and the LP coming on board in 1951. By 1955, the fledgling British colony had seven parties contesting, and reached a pinnacle of 13 parties in 1959. A total of three parties were established in the 1940s, 12 in the 1950s and five in the 1960s.
20th century
Post-independence Singapore saw the dominance of the People's Action Party, which first came into power in 1959. On 16 May 1960, a new Societies Ordinance was passed, and in December 1966, local parties were forbidden from being affiliated to foreign ones. This directly impacted the handful of small parties with links to Malaysia, most of which renamed themselves and/or cut formal foreign ties. The PAP's dominance stemming from Singapore's economic advancement further weakened the smaller opposition parties, with a majority of Singaporeans voting for the PAP in subsequent elections.
Still, new parties continued to be established, and to date, there are therefore a total of 30 registered political parties today, of which ten have never contested in an election, 13 parties have officially dissolved with most through mergers with other parties. A few opposition parties, those of Workers' Party and Singapore Democratic Party, had gained some success towards the 80s with the captures of its safe seat of Hougang and Potong Pasir respectively, with the former went with further success heading towards the 21st century.
21st century
Over the years, alliances between political parties existed, however short-lived. Presently, only one functioning multi-party alliance, the Singapore Democratic Alliance, which was formed on 3 July 2001, initially composed of the Singapore People's Party (SPP), National Solidarity Party (NSP), Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura and the Justice Party, Singapore, with the SPP being the lead party. The vision was to bring all opposition parties under one banner to counter the PAP's dominance, but it was met with limited success due to opposition infighting. The NSP left the alliance in 2007, and in 2010, the SPP itself left when there was internal disagreements over the SPP's attempts to bring in the newly formed Reform Party (RP).
Many party members have resigned from its former parties and later formed newer parties over the years following the aftermath of its respective general elections, notably People's Power Party (PPP) formed by former WP and NSP member Goh Meng Seng in 2015, the Peoples Voice (PV) by former-National Solidarity Party's Secretary general Lim Tean in 2018,[3][4][5] the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) in 2019 by former People's Action Party Member of Parliament Tan Cheng Bock,[6] Red Dot United (RDP) in 2020 by former PSP members Ravi Philemon and Michelle Lee,[7][8] and Singapore United Party (SUP) by former RP members in 2021.[9]
Legislation
Under the current legislation, all political parties (termed "Political Associations") must be registered under the Societies Act. As such, the following rules pertaining to political associations apply:
- All members of political parties must be Singaporean citizens.
- Political Association must not be affiliated or connected with any organisation outside Singapore. The fact that a political association uses a name or symbol which is the same as that of an organisation outside Singapore shall be deemed to be sufficient evidence that the political association has an affiliation or connection with that organisation.
The government has the power to dissolve the party if it contravenes the above rules, or any other rule applicable to all forms of registered societies.
Under the Political Donations Act which came into force on 15 February 2001, Political Associations are also barred from accepting any donation in cash or kind from impermissible donors, or from anonymous donors where the value exceeds S$5,000. The government announced[10] that it was to "prevent foreigners from interfering in domestic politics through the financial support for any association's cause", and cited an example of a case in 1959 when S$700,000 was sent to Chew Swee Kee, then Education Minister from the Singapore People's Alliance by a "neighbouring intelligence service in a "black operation" against the interests of Singapore". Another case was also cited pertaining to foreign financial support for Francis Seow of the Workers' Party in 1988.
The People's Action Party donated $20,000 to Australian political parties through (Singtel-owned) Optus in 2010, although the motives and details of the donation remain unverified.[11]
Political parties
There have been a total of 43 political parties (not including Malaysia's parties, those contested in both Malaysia and Singapore elections, or those which contested during Singapore's merger with Malaysia) in Singapore.
Party or Alliance active
Party or Alliance active, but collated to another party or alliance
Party or Alliance dissolved
Party or Alliance registered, but is yet to contest
Party or Alliance's status unknown
Current political parties
| Party | Abbr. | Established | Registered | Elections Contested 1 | Leader (Secretary-General) | MPs | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
National Solidarity Party Parti Perpaduan Nasional 国民团结党 தேசிய ஒருமைப்பாட்டுக் கட்சி |
NSP | 6 March 1987 | 6 March 1987 | 8 (1988, 1991, 1997, 20013, 20063, 2011, 2015, 2020) | Spencer Ng | 0 / 104 | |
 |
People's Action Party Parti Tindakan Rakyat 人民行动党 மக்களின் செயல் கட்சி |
PAP | 21 November 1954 | 18 February 1961 | 16 (1955, 1959, 1963, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1991, 1997, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2020) | Lee Hsien Loong | 79 / 104 | |
 |
Progress Singapore Party Parti Kemajuan Singapura 新加坡前进党 சிங்கப்பூர் முன்னேற்றக் கட்சி |
PSP | 18 January 2019 | 28 March 2019 | 1 (2020) | Leong Mun Wai | 2 / 104 | |
 |
People's Power Party Parti Kuasa Rakyat 人民力量党 மக்கள் சக்தி கட்சி |
PPP | 15 May 2015 | 15 May 2015 | 2 (2015, 2020) | Goh Meng Seng | 0 / 104 | |
 |
Peoples Voice Suara Rakyat 人民之声 மக்கள் குரல் |
PV | 29 October 2018 | 29 October 2018 | 1 (2020) | Lim Tean | 0 / 104 | |
 |
Red Dot United Titik Merah Bersatu 红点同心党 ஒன்றுபட்ட சிவப்புப் புள்ளி |
RDU | 26 May 2020 | 15 June 2020 | 1 (2020) | Ravi Philemon | 0 / 104 | |
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Reform Party Parti Reformasi 革新党 சீர்திருத்தக் கட்சி |
RP | 3 July 2008 | 3 July 2008 | 3 (2011, 2015, 2020) | Kenneth Jeyaretnam | 0 / 104 | |
 |
Singapore Democratic Alliance Perikatan Demokratik Singapura 新加坡民主联盟 சிங்கப்பூர் ஜனநாயக கூட்டணி |
SDA | 3 July 2001 | 3 July 2001 | 5 (2001, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2020) | Desmond Lim | 0 / 104 | |
 |
Singapore People's Party Parti Rakyat Singapura 新加坡人民党 சிங்கப்பூர் மக்கள் கட்சி |
SPP | 21 November 1994 | 21 November 1994 | 6 (1997, 20014, 20064, 2011, 2015, 2020) | Steve Chia | 0 / 104 | |
 |
Democratic Progressive Party Parti Demokratik Progresif 民主进步党 ஜனநாயக முற்போக்குக் கட்சி |
DPP | 16 March 1973 | 16 March 1973 | 5 (1976, 1980, 1984, 1997, 2015) | Mohamad Hamim bin Aliyas | 0 / 104 | |
 |
Singapore Democratic Party Parti Demokratik Singapura 新加坡民主党 சிங்கப்பூர் மக்களாட்சி |
SDP | 6 August 1980 | 8 September 1980 | 10 (1980, 1984, 1988, 1991, 1997, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2020) | Chee Soon Juan | 0 / 104 | |
| Singapore United Party Parti Bersatu Singapura 新加坡统一党 |
SUP | 24 December 2020 | 24 December 2020 | Andy Zhu | 0 / 104 | |||
 |
Workers' Party Parti Pekerja 工人党 பாட்டாளிக் கட்சி |
WP | 3 November 1957 | 30 January 1961 | 15 (1959, 1963, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1991, 1997, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2020) | Pritam Singh | 8 / 104 | |
| Singapore Justice Party Parti Keadilan Singapura 新加坡正义党 சிங்கப்பூர் நீதிக் கட்சி |
SJP | – | 10 August 1972 | 10 (1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1991, 20013, 20063, 20113, 20153, 20203) | Aminuddin bin Ami | 0 / 104 | ||
 |
Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura Singapore Malay National Organisation 新加坡马来国民机构 |
PKMS | 23 December 1951 | 20 February 1961 | 13 (1955, 1959, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1991, 20012, 20062, 20112, 20152, 20203) | Muhammad Hairullah Bin Ahmad | 0 / 104 | |
Shirt colours
The candidates and supporters of the various political parties tend to wear the following shirt colours while making their rounds in various wards or campaigning.
Past political parties
| Party | Alternative name(s) | Established | Registered | Dissolved | Elections Contested 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malay Union 新加坡马来人联合会 Kesatuan Melayu Singapura |
– | 14 May 1926 | – | 1961 | 2 (1955, 1959) |
| Singapore National Front 新加坡国民阵线 Barisan Nasional Singapura |
– | – | 15 August 1991 | NA | 0 |
 Singapore People's Alliance新加坡人民联盟 Perikatan Rakyat Singapura |
– | 10 November 1958 | – | 16 May 1965 | 1 (1959) |
 United National Front联合国民阵线 Barisan Nasional Bersatu |
– | – | 6 March 1970 | NA | 1 (1972) |
 United People's Front人民联合阵线 Barisan Rakyat Bersatu |
– | – | 20 March 1975 | NA | 4 (1976, 1980, 1984, 1988) |
 United People's Party人民团结党 Parti Rakyat Bersatu |
– | – | 14 July 1961 | 1968 | 1 (1963) |
| United Singapore Democrats 团结新加坡民主党 Demokrat Singapura Bersatu |
– | – | 25 March 2010 | NA | 0 |
 Socialist Front社会主义阵线 Socialist Front |
– | – | 1 September 2010 | NA | 0 |
 Singaporeans First国人为先 Warga Diutamakan |
– | 25 May 2014 | 19 August 2014 | 25 June 2020 | 1 (2015) |
| Singapore Indian Congress 新加坡印度国民大会党 Kongres India Singapura |
Singapore Regional Indian Congress (1946–1953) Malayan Indian Congress (1953–1968) |
August 1946 | 7 August 1962 | NA | 1 (1959) |
| People's Republican Party 人民共和党 Parti Rakyat Republik |
– | – | 30 August 1973 | NA | 0 |
 Partai RakyatPeople's Party (Singapore State Division) 人民党 (新加坡州部) |
– | 11 November 1955 | 18 June 1962 | NA | 2 (1959, 1963) |
| Singapore Alliance Party 新加坡联盟党 Parti Perikatan Singapura |
Singapore Alliance, Perikatan Singapura (1963–1965) | 30 May 1963 | 17 February 1966 | NA | 1 (1963) |
 Angkatan IslamIslamic Movement 回教阵线 |
Pan-Malayan Islamic Party Persatuan Islam Setanah Melayu (1958–1967) |
– | 6 August 1958 | NA | 4 (1959, 1963, 1984, 1988) |
 Barisan Sosialis社会主义阵线 |
– | 29 July 1961 | 13 August 1961 | 1988 | 5 (1963, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984) |
 Citizens' Party公民党 Parti Warganegara |
– | 25 February 1959 | – | 13 September 1960 | 1 (1959) |
 Democratic Party民主党 Parti Demokratik |
– | 11 February 1955 | – | 5 February 1956 | 1 (1955) |
 Katong United Residents' Association加东居民统一工会 Persatuan Penduduk Bersatu Katong |
– | 11 January 1959 | – | 23 June 1960 | 1 (1959) |
 Labour Front劳工阵线 Barisan Buroh |
– | 21 August 1954 | – | 28 February 1960 | 2 (1955, 1959) |
| Labour Party 劳工党 Parti Buroh |
– | 23 March 1948 | – | 1961 | 1 (1951) |
 Liberal Socialist Party自由社会党 Parti Liberal Sosialis |
– | 5 February 1956 | 24 May 1961 | 10 September 1963 | 1 (1959) |
| National Party of Singapore 新加坡国民党 Parti Nasional Singapura |
– | – | 26 February 1971 | NA | 0 |
 People's Front人民阵线 Barisan Rakyat |
– | – | 21 May 1971 | NA | 2 (1972, 1976) |
| Parti Kesatuan Rakyat United Democratic Party 民主统一党 |
– | – | 18 June 1962 | NA | 1 (1963) |
| People's Liberal Democratic Party 人民自由民主党 Parti Liberal Demokratik Rakyat |
– | – | 2 May 2006 | NA | 0 |
| Persatuan Melayu Singapura Singapore Malays Association 新加坡马来人协会 |
– | – | 2 February 1952 | NA | 0 |
 Progressive Party进步党 Parti Progresif |
– | 25 August 1947 | – | 10 May 1956 | 3 (1948, 1951, 1955) |
| Singapore Congress 新加坡国民大会党 Kongres Singapura |
– | 9 May 1960 | – | 29 January 1962 | 0 |
| Singapore Chinese Party 新加坡华人党 Parti Cina Singapura |
Malayan Chinese Association (1950–1967) | – | 26 September 1950 | NA | 3 (1955, 1959, 19724) |
- ^ The tally does not include city council elections, by-elections, Malaysian parliamentary elections or presidential elections (the latter which requires nonpartisan candidacy).
- ^ The party was contested under the coalition of Singapore People's Party (SPP).
- ^ The party was contested under the coalition of Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA).
- ^ The party was contested under the coalition of United People's Front (UPF).
Other defunct parties
- Malayan Communist Party
- Malayan Democratic Union (dissolved in 1948)
- Singapore Socialist Party (merged to form Labour Front)
See also
References
- Thomas L. Friedman (14 September 2005). "Singapore and Katrina". New York Times. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
- "Governance Indicators: 1996-2004". World Bank website. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- "NSP Secretary General Lim Tean quits party suddenly". Mothership.sg. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- "Former opposition party chief Lim Tean forms new political party, People's Voice". TODAYonline. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- "Lim Tean resigns as NSP secretary-general". CNA. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- "Tan Cheng Bock files application to form new political party". CNA. Archived from the original on 18 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- "Former PSP members file application to form new political party Red Dot United". CNA. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- "Red Dot United gets approval for registration as political party, set to take part in coming GE". TODAYonline. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
- Sin, Yuen (5 January 2021). "Former Reform Party chairman Andy Zhu and others form new political party, Singapore United Party". The Straits Times. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- "Ministry of Home Affairs - Introduction of the Political Donations Act". Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- "Mayne digs some donations data dirt". crikey.com.au. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
External links
Parenthesis indicate seats represented in the Parliament of Singapore | |||||
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Notes: *The MPs of the Progress Singapore Party are Non-Constituency MPs. † The party has yet to contest in an election.
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