The ruling People’s Action Party has begun searching for potential candidates ahead of the next general election, so that they can start walking the ground earlier.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on July 4 that the party has learnt over the years that it cannot “just rely on a few tea sessions or interviews” to recruit and bring in candidates.
Bringing candidates in earlier would allow them to gain experience and exposure on the ground while being assessed by the party and the public on whether they are truly ready to serve as MPs, said PM Wong, who is secretary-general of the PAP.
At the recent election, the party had deployed several new faces early, but a number of them were introduced “quite late” in the process, he said.
“This is an area where we can and will do better.”
Among the slate of 32 new candidates – the largest in recent memory – some like Chua Chu Kang GRC’s Dr Choo Pei Ling, Tampines GRC’s Dr Charlene Chen and West Coast-Jurong West GRC’s Dr Hamid Razak were on the ground more than a year before the polls as they filled the gaps left by MPs who had resigned. Others like former public servants Jeffrey Siow, David Neo and Jasmin Lau were seen in the months before the hustings.
PM Wong said he had personally reached out to and persuaded many of the new candidates fielded at the May 3 election. He called on fellow MPs to help scout for and surface names, mentor promising individuals and support their growth.
“As leader of the party, (looking out for good people to join the party) is one of my most important responsibilities. But I cannot do this work alone – I need all of you to chip in,” he said.
He was speaking at an appreciation dinner for 20 retired MPs held at Parliament House. Around 90 guests were present, including current MPs and the party’s branch chairpersons.
The PAP traditionally holds this dinner soon after a general election to thank outgoing MPs and set the broad direction for the party.
At the dinner, PM Wong said the party is seeking people with the right values, who care deeply about Singapore, and who can shoulder the heavy responsibility of public service.
“It has never been easy to find such people and it won’t get easier,” he said.
“Some may express interest in politics, but we need to be sure about their motivations. Others may have the heart to serve, but are not ready for the demands of public life.”
Work for the next general election – which must be called by 2030 – has begun as the party is resuming its tea sessions, said PM Wong. Potential candidates typically go for several rounds of “tea” with senior members of the party.
“We are casting the net wide – across all background and communities. It doesn’t matter that someone disagrees with us or voted against us before,” he said.
They will be welcome as long as they have the heart to serve and are prepared to make common cause with the PAP, he added.
PM Wong said the party has always known that the quality of candidates matters in elections.
The recent general election – where the PAP won 65.6 per cent of the vote– showed just how much this matters, he said.
The Straits Times
