WP Rejects The Leader Of The Opposition Role? Why?

By Jose Raymond

TLDR: On 15 January 2026, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced in a statement that based on WP chief Pritam Singh’s conviction for lying to the Committee of Privileges, it is no longer tenable for him to continue as the Leader of the Opposition (LO).

PM Wong, in his statement to the WP CEC, said that the role of the LO plays “an important role” in Singapore’s political system.

However, on 21 January, the WP responded with a salvo of its own, rejecting to nominate another MP to the role.

In its statement posted on social media, the party said that “The Workers’ Party takes the view that the leader of the largest opposition party in Parliament, is the leader of the opposition.”

We size up why in a nutshell.

• Analysts contended that the role of LO will provide the WP with the visibility in Parliament.
• It will offer the annointed LO the opportunity to be the first to pose questions during debates to the ruling party during debates, gain access through briefings and also be on official government trips
• It will offer the LO a stipend with resources for research
• The LO position will also allow another WP MP the opportunity to grow in stature

If so, WHY did WP choose to reject the role then?

• WP already has the visibility with a total of 12 seats in Parliament (10 elected and 2 NCMPs)
• With 12 MPs and NCMPs, the WP will already be able to pose questions to the ruling party effectively
• The role of the LO is not institutionalised in the Constitution and is granted by the Prime Minister
• Sending a new LO who is not the Secretary-General may create internal divisions (not that these may or may not already exist)
• LO title may be gone, but the work still continues

The Ground Sentiment

• Why should the PM decide who should be the LO?
• The role should be institutionalised so that ultimately it is the public who decides who can be the LO through the ballot
• WP should take a principled stand and reject the LO position given that all the Opposition MPs in the current Parliament are wearing blue

With the WP having convened a disciplinary panel to look into Pritam’s conviction, and a special meeting being called to discuss his position as party chief, at least the decision on the role of the LO makes it clear that the party leadership has closed ranks around its secretary-general for now.