The Coalition: Memorandum of Understanding


Singapore, 28th October 2023 – In a groundbreaking development in Singapore’s political landscape, four opposition parties-The National Solidarity Party (NSP), Red Dot United (RDU). Singapore People’s Party (SPP), and Singapore United Party (SUP)-are coming together in a non-formal partnership known as “THE COALITION”. Marking a significant departure from previous attempts at forming alliances, this unprecedented coalition is driven by a shared commitment for Support, Synergy and Respect, to be relevant to Singapore and its citizens, not only in the lead-up to the next General Elections but well into the future.
The formation of The Coalition is underpinned by a compelling set of reasons that reflect the unwavering resolve of these political parties:
1. Stronger Appeal to Voters: By uniting their efforts, The Coalition aims to make a more powerful and cohesive appeal to voters. This collective strength will significantly enhance their chances of winning constituencies in the upcoming General Elections.
2. Unified Voice: Speaking with a unified voice, The Coalition will effectively convey their political message and intentions to the electorate. This strategic alignment will lead to a stronger connection with voters.
3. Avoiding Three-Way Fights: The Coalition will strategically allocate candidates to constituencies, thereby reducing the risk of three-way electoral battles and increasing the likelihood of securing seats.
4. Party Branding and Credibility: Through The Coalition, the parties aim to build more recognisable party brands and identities in specific constituencies. This will lead to greater perceived credibility and trust among voters.
5. Joint Manifesto: The Coalition will craft a comprehensive joint manifesto that outlines their collective vision for Singapore’s future. This manifesto will serve as the cornerstone of their campaign, emphasising their commitment to a unified agenda.
6. Resource Management: The Coalition will ensure that opposition parties are not overstretched in terms of resources when campaigning across different areas in Singapore. For instance, volunteers participating in the General Elections (GE) may have to take their oaths of secrecy under the Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for Oaths, and The Coalition will assist in streamlining and facilitating such crucial administrative processes. Similarly, The Coalition will provide support for the training of polling and counting agents. This proactive approach effectively addresses a longstanding stumbling block.
7. Expanding Our Presence: The Coalition, even though it is a grouping of four political parties, remains a relatively small partnership. In the last General Election, we collectively contested in only five constituencies. In the next General Election, we intend to expand our presence and contest in eight to ten constituencies. This expansion underscores our commitment to providing Singaporeans with a credible and reasonable opposition that serves as effective checks and balances on the government.
8. A Vision of Balanced Governance: The Coalition’s primary focus is not to displace the ruling party, which has formed the government of the day. We recognise that at this stage of our democratic development, most voters seek effective checks and balances rather than a complete change in government. Singaporeans are looking for reasonable and credible opposition candidates to give their votes to, and this is precisely what The Coalition aims to provide.
9. Ensuring Checks and Balances: The Coalition, in collaboration with other like-minded opposition parties, intends to deny the ruling Party a two-thirds majority in Parliament. This strategic goal is driven by our commitment to safeguarding the interests of Singaporeans. A two-thirds majority could potentially enable the ruling party to change the Constitution and make or amend rules that may disadvantage Singaporeans. We aim to ensure that the government remains accountable and that the interests of the people are protected.
10. Join Us on This Journey: All Singaporeans are invited to join The Coalition on this exciting journey toward a stronger, more unified opposition. Together, we aim to demonstrate the power of collaboration, showcase our commitment to responsible governance, and usher in a new era in Singaporean politics.
11. About The Coalition: The Coalition is a non-formal partnership comprising the National Solidarity Party (NSP), Red Dot United (RDU), Singapore People’s Party (SPP), and Singapore United Party (SUP). With shared values of support, synergy, and respect, The Coalition aims to provide a cohesive and viable alternative in Singapore’s political landscape.