While you were sleeping in this long weekend, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered his annual May Day Rally speech in front of 5,000 unionists, employers and government officials at the The Star Performing Arts Centre in Buona Vista this morning.

What stood out was his rallying election war cry that Singapore needs "exceptional leaders" and “leadership renewal” is needed at the national level.

Here are 8 election-laden quotes PM issued at the May Day Rally.

1. Highlight F1 champion Lewis Hamilton to connect with F1 fans

“Some people say we no longer have to worry about national leadership. They say we already have a good system... By that logic, since Mercedes has an outstanding F1 car, there is no need to have Lewis Hamilton as the driver to win the F1 championship. The car will drive itself.”

2. Rekindle the flame of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy

“Mr Lee’s passing reminded people that exceptional leadership made a big difference for Singapore.”

3. Highlight the urgency of leadership renewal by highlighting PM’s age

“I am already 63 years old this year... I really should not attend the next one (Asia-Africa Summit held every decade) ten years from now, when I am 73.”

4. Highlight the urgency of leadership renewal by reminding Singaporeans of his health

“This year, my doctors discovered that I had prostate cancer... But 15 years from now I will be 78. Even if prostate cancer does not cause me trouble, something else can happen to me.”

5. Highlight his leadership team’s achievements

"If my team is weakened, would the government be able to deliver on what Singaporeans expect of us?

SG50 budget and Pioneer Generation Package – Could it have happened without Tharman, Kim Yong, Josephine, Amy and Sim Ann?

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6. Poke the opposition

“[W]hen I hear some opposition politicians say that Tripartism is obsolete and our unions must fight against the government and employers, I am aghast.”

7. He mentioned “election”

“Leadership renewal is the most important issue in the next election”.

8. He mentioned “election” again and again

“So I need your help: give me and my team your support, so that after the next election, well before the election after the next, a younger team will be ready to lead us forward”.

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