GE2025
SPP surprised & disappointed by WP's decision not to contest Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC
It was an "unexpected turn", SPP said.
April 23, 2025, 07:40 PM
The Workers' Party (WP) will not be contesting Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.
WP was widely expected to contest there, but no candidates showed up at the Kong Hwa School nomination centre.
No choices for residents: SPP
In a subsequent statement to the media, the Singapore People's Party (SPP) expressed its surprise at the move.
This was especially so considering "their active ground engagement in the constituency since GE2020", SPP said.
In the previous general election, WP fielded Yee Jenn Jong, Ron Tan, Nathaniel Koh , Muhammad Fadli Bin Mohammed Fawzi and Muhammad Azhar Bin Abdul Latip at Marine Parade GRC, and managed to garner 42.24 per cent of the vote share.
"This walkover, the first since 2011, marks an unexpected turn in what was anticipated to be a keenly contested race," SPP stated.
The party added that it shares the disappointment felt by residents who were looking forward to a "robust democratic process with diverse voices and choices at the ballot box".
SPP continued:
"At SPP, we believe that every constituency benefits from active participation and competition, as it fosters greater accountability and encourages parties to put forth their best ideas for the community.
While we respect the strategic choices made by other parties, we regret that voters in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC will not have the opportunity to express their preferences through the polls this time."
Nevertheless, SPP said it remains committed to engaging residents across Singapore.
It will be contesting Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and Potong Pasir SMC.
Difficult decision: WP
WP chief Pritam Singh addressed the walkover at Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC in a Facebook post.
Singh said the party had to make the difficult choice of where to deploy their limited resources, and that it was a "very difficult decision for us" that was made "after much reflection and careful consideration".
People's Power Party leader Goh Meng Seng similarly expressed his frustration at a doorstop at the nomination centre.
Goh became emotional, stating that Marine Parade has been "abandoned" by the WP.
Top photo from Singapore People's Party/FB
