The dummy's guide to Singapore's political parties: The PV edition

Unless you've been living under a rock, you should have some inkling of the People's Action Party (PAP) and the Workers' Party (WP).

But what about RP? Or PSP? Or SDP? If these acronyms mean nothing to you, then you're in the right place.

In this series — a cheat sheet of sorts — we sieve out the facts you ought to know about Singapore's political parties.

By the end of this, you should have a better idea of the parties who may be contesting in the upcoming general election and what they're all about.

Our next party, Peoples Voice, is formed by the former secretary-general of National Solidarity Party, Lim Tean.  

Peoples Voice 

When were they formed?

Lim Tean previously served as secretary-general of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) and contested in the Tampines Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in the 2015 Singapore General Election. 

After leaving NSP in 2017, he founded Peoples Voice (PV) a year later. It is the 11th political party in Singapore. 

Lim's decision to resign from NSP was due to fundamental differences in their approach to politics. 

What are they all about?

The PV, which has a motto "Putting people first".  

As such, the party advocates for the following: 

• Return CPF @ age 55
• 0 per cent GST on basic living products
• Slash minister pay
• No to a 10 million population
• A living wage
• Free primary and secondary school education
• Protect Singaporeans' jobs

Additionally, Lim mentioned in Facebook Live video that the party aims to "make a difference" and "to be in government". 

He told Today that the promises PV has made are not meant to be an election manifesto, but rather “some of the most important issues we want to deal with”.

Where are they contesting?

PV is set to contest Jalan Besar GRC. The party is also involved in a three-cornered fight for Pasir-Ris-Punggol GRC against Singapore Democratic Party and People's Action Party. 

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/PeoplesVoiceSingapore/posts/2599073467027510[/embed]

Track record

Lim ran for Tampines GRC in 2015 under NSP's banner. 

This is PV's first general election.

In case you missed it

Here are the other parties we've covered:

• People's Action Party
• Workers' Party
• Democratic Progressive Party
• Singapore Democratic Party
• National Solidarity Party
• Singapore People's Party
• Reform Party
• People's Power Party
• Red Dot United
• Singapore Democratic Alliance

Stay tuned for the last instalment in the series — Progress Singapore Party.

joanwong@asiaone.com