Mr Singh said in 2019 that the party’s medium-term objective was to contest and win one-third of the seats in parliament.
In Singapore, constitutional amendments require the support of a two-thirds majority in the House.
At the party’s annual members’ forum in January, Mr Singh told WP members they must work as a team if they are to achieve their goal of having elected opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) make up a third of the House.
“If we accept that Singaporeans are pragmatic, and that there’s no demand for a change of government, then going out there flying a flag which says ‘I am your prime minister in waiting’ is probably, with respect, an act of foolishness,” Mr Singh said in the interview.
He added that there is a desire among many Singaporeans for “political balance”.
“And we know that, and we try and tap into that and we present a platform, a vision to the public to say that look, we believe we can fulfil that aspiration that you have,” Mr Singh said.
He added: “We still feel the opposition should play a check-and-balance role. That’s what we want.
“And if you go in there with an argument that we’re ready to form government, that doesn’t sync and gel with the emotions on the ground. I don’t think that’s going to be a recipe for a successful political campaign.”
PAP DID NOT “TAKE BAIT”
Responding to Mr Khairy’s question on why he did not leave the “bunker” of Aljunied GRC, Mr Singh said there are no safe seats.
“The reality is we are the opposition in Singapore. There are no safe seats for us, there is no safe bunker.
“Anything can change, and before you know it, you are at the forward edge and you’ve got to fight your battle there,” Mr Singh said.
