PAP's tone, PM Wong's governance style added to polls swing: Desmond Lee

The PAP took a measured tone during campaigning that voters were more comfortable with, and this contributed to its improved showing at the May general election, said party chairman Desmond Lee.

- Goh Yan Han

He also cited the electorate's desire for a stable government at a time of significant uncertainty, and their vote of confidence in Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his first general election at the helm of the ruling party.

"They wanted to have a strong, stable government that could work for Singaporeans externally. With the geopolitical tensions and shifts that are happening, we shouldn't underestimate how important this is," Mr Lee said.

The PAP increased its nationwide vote share from 61.24 per cent in 2020 to 65.57 per cent at GE2025, going against past trends of a dip in vote share after a new prime minister took over.

Mr Lee said the results were a nod to PM Wong's personality and his team's more open and consultative style of governance.

Mr Lee, who is Minister for Education, gave his take on the election in an interview on Sept 18 with The Straits Times and Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao - his first remarks to the media as PAP chairman after taking over from former deputy prime minister Heng Swee Keat in end-May.

Mr Lee was previously assistant secretary-general.

He noted that the People's Action Party had garnered broad support across different demographics.

A recent survey by the Institute of Policy Studies that sought to understand the election results found that the PAP had support of at least 60 per cent among many of the major demographic groups - determined by age, gender, housing type and socioeconomic status - said Mr Lee.

He also pointed out that six in 10 young people chose the PAP - not far from the national average of 65 per cent.

This goes against the impression that young people voted more for the opposition, he said.