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Workers’ Party Rejects PM Wong’s Invitation to Nominate New LO

 




On January 21 2026, the Workers’ Party (WP) issued a formal response to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, declining his invitation to nominate a new Leader of the Opposition (LO). This decision follows the Prime Minister's move on January 15 to remove WP chief Pritam Singh from the position, a week after a parliamentary motion found Mr Singh unsuitable for the role due to his criminal convictions for lying to the Committee of Privileges.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the Workers’ Party leadership stated that they were "unable to accept" the invitation to nominate another elected Member of Parliament to the post. The party emphasized that it has its own established processes for electing its internal leadership and expressed the view that the Leader of the Opposition should, by definition, be the leader of the largest opposition party in Parliament. The WP noted that while the LO role in Singapore is currently a discretionary appointment made by the Prime Minister, it should ideally reflect the political success of the opposition at the ballot box. By declining to name a replacement, the party underscored its belief that the authority of the role flows from the mandate of the voters rather than the choice of the government of the day.

The Workers’ Party further cited other Westminster parliamentary systems where the title of Leader of the Opposition is established by law. They argued that in such systems, the position is not the prerogative of the Prime Minister to grant or withdraw, an approach they believe protects the "authority and sanctity of the people’s vote." The party statement acknowledged that the recognition of the LO office in 2020 was a significant step in Singapore’s political development, reflecting a desire for greater political diversity. However, they maintained that the current situation, where the government determines the suitability of the opposition leader, challenges the independence of the role.

Despite the loss of the LO title and its associated privileges, including a higher allowance and the right of first reply in debates, the Workers’ Party stated it would continue to focus on its primary duty of providing a "rational, responsible, and respectable check on the Government." This stance sets up a unique political standoff, as the position created to formalize the opposition’s role in Parliament now remains vacant.

Parallel to these external developments, the Workers’ Party has also moved to address the internal implications of Mr Singh’s convictions. Sources within the party confirmed that a disciplinary panel has been formed to assess whether Mr Singh’s conduct breached the party's own Constitution. The panel consists of three prominent members: Sengkang GRC MPs He Ting Ru and Jamus Lim, and former Hougang MP Png Eng Huat. Ms He serves as the party’s treasurer, while Associate Professor Lim is the deputy head of policy research. Mr Png, a veteran of the party who stepped down from electoral politics in 2020, brings significant experience to the review. This internal process is expected to take up to three months to conclude, after which the party will hold a Special Cadre Members' Conference to decide on any further actions regarding Mr Singh’s leadership status.

The Prime Minister’s Office has been contacted for comment regarding the Workers’ Party’s refusal to nominate a successor. On January 14, the motion to remove Mr Singh was supported by all PAP and Nominated MPs present, while the 11 WP MPs in attendance dissented. The removal remains a point of deep contention, with the government citing the need to uphold the "dignity and integrity of Parliament," while the opposition maintains that the decision undermines the electoral will of the people.

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