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WP works MacPherson while talks over offer to sit out continue

SINGAPORE — The door may have closed on the Workers’ Party’s (WP) offer to give up contesting in the MacPherson ward in return for the National Solidarity Party (NSP) staying away from Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

The Workers' Party Secretary General, Low Thia Khiang (R) and Chairman Sylvia Lim (L)  having a light moments with PAP supporters at Blk 89 Circuit Road food centre on 07 Aug 2015. Photo: Wee Teck Hian/TODAY

The Workers' Party Secretary General, Low Thia Khiang (R) and Chairman Sylvia Lim (L) having a light moments with PAP supporters at Blk 89 Circuit Road food centre on 07 Aug 2015. Photo: Wee Teck Hian/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — The door might have closed on The Workers’ Party’s (WP) offer to give up contesting in the MacPherson ward in return for the National Solidarity Party (NSP) staying out of Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

After skipping yesterday’s (Aug 6) Opposition talks, the WP was out in force this morning in MacPherson, where party chairman Sylvia Lim said repeatedly that it will proceed with its plans, saying that time is of the essence.

“We don’t have much time left, we can’t wait, so we’ll go ahead to work in both areas,” she told reporters at a walkabout at Block 89 Circuit Road Market and Food Centre.

She added that the WP did not show up for the second meeting among Opposition parties because it “would not (have been) productive”.

Her party had initiated a “concrete proposal” to avoid prospective three-cornered fights in Marine Parade GRC and MacPherson before the first round of talks on Monday, but the NSP rejected it, said Ms Lim.

“We have our own assessment of the areas we want to contest, and we’ve told everybody our considerations, meaning that we’d still want to contest in the areas we’ve worked in before,” she said, adding that those areas are geographically close together.

“We’re serious about coming (to MacPherson). In the spirit of avoiding three-cornered fights, we made a proposal that if NSP and us can work on NSP coming to MacPherson and us going to Marine Parade, I think that would have been workable.

“But they’ve rejected that, so I think we cannot wait any further.”

When sought for comment, NSP chairman Sebastian Teo said his party had counter-offered to give up MacPherson and Jalan Besar GRC for Marine Parade GRC. He said it will continue to talk to the WP.

The two parties’ discussions began last week, and if any compromise is to be struck, it has to be soon.

“If NSP has other intentions, they should make it clear. As I said, time is of the essence, so we hope to move on,” said Ms Lim.

She and party secretary-general Low Thia Kiang led today’s walkabout, with Ms Frieda Chan accompanying Mr Low as they greeted shop owners and residents at the market and the surrounding flats and sold copies of the party’s Hammer newsletter. In the 2011 General Election (GE), Ms Chan was a candidate for the now-dissolved Moulmein-Kallang GRC.

Other members of the WP’s executive council present included Mr Pritam Singh, Mr Png Eng Huat, Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap, Mr Yee Jenn Jong and Dr John Yam. Also present was lawyer Terence Tan, seen as a potential candidate for Marine Parade GRC. Ms Lim said the party has a shortlist of GE candidates but will formally introduce them only “once things are all firmed up”.

Members and supporters of the People Action Party’s MacPherson branch also held their walkabout at the same location yesterday morning. Both parties exchanged pleasantries and even posed for a group picture.

Branch secretary Rosemary Lim told TODAY that MacPherson’s Member of Parliament, Ms Tin Pei Ling, was resting well after giving birth on Wednesday and supporting her team from behind the scenes.

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