Commercial parties to help WP screen potential election candidates: Pritam Singh

The Workers' Party (WP) has engaged commercial parties to assist in the screening of potential candidates and personality review, in preparation for the upcoming General Election.

This was announced by WP's Secretary-General Pritam Singh, in a speech at the party's Member's Forum 2025 on Jan. 11.

Singh acknowledged that the engagement of the commercial parties to assist in the WP's deployment plans was not foolproof, nor can it guarantee that all the "previous infractions of an individual" will come to light.

"But the Party will do our best," he said.

WP candidates will be a mix of individuals who have walked the ground and new candidates

Singh said from a political standpoint, it serves the WP little purpose to reveal how many candidates the party plans to field and where before nomination day, unless there is a strategic or tactical reason to do so.

"Furthermore, everything can change when the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee releases its report," he added.

As with previous elections however, the potential candidates will be a mix both of individuals who have walked the ground extensively, as well as new members.

It would also not make sense to field candidates with similar attributes in one GRC, he added.

Rather, the party will look at deploying a "balanced team", in terms of youth, experience and value-add, amongst other criteria.

Not an indictment of your contributions to the party if you are not fielded

Singh also acknowledged that there might be members disappointed if they miss out on being selected as a candidate for the election, despite walking the ground and contributing to the WP for many years.

The decision on who to field, according to Singh, is ultimately based on the interests of the party.

In addition, if a member is expected to be fielded but is not, they should know that this is not an indictment of their contributions to the WP.

Singh said he takes ultimate responsibility for the decision on who to field as candidates.

Members who are interested in standing as candidates or have concerns about any member who is likely to become a candidate, can also share their views and concerns with any member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), he added.

Party must stay united during the elections

Singh then stressed that when the WP goes to the General Elections, it is not just the candidates who are fighting the election but the entire party.

"The WP always contests as one team. All of us make a difference, and so any victory or defeat is not just down to the candidate, but to the party and every individual who makes a sacrifice to this end," he said.

Candidates must also remember that they are fighting on the WP ticket and not as an independent.

"Who put up your candidate posters, who campaigned in the markets, shops and door-to-door for you? Many of these individuals are volunteers who are invested in the success of the WP," he said.

A victory for a candidate is therefore a victory of everyone who invested time and energy in the party.

Singh issued the following reminder:

"We need from you not only a commitment to being a servant-leader – but also big amounts of humility and self-awareness, which will be very important in your public service journey."

Party must also keep an eye on renewal

Singh also highlighted the importance of party renewal.

"We need to bring newer, younger candidates on board," he said.

He elaborated:

"None of us here are getting any younger and we need to work in a dedicated way to encourage and bring more Singaporeans on board. Here, I am not referring to only candidates, but members and volunteers as well."

Such new candidates, members and volunteers must be motivated in wanting a more balanced political system in Singapore, he said.

Singh added, "If we are not successful in bringing in new people, the Workers’ Party will have a big problem in the years to come. It will run a real risk of becoming irrelevant to Singaporeans."

Top photo via WP/Facebook