PSP's poor showing signals need to rethink branding, policy proposals: Analysts

They say Tan Cheng Bock's star power has faded, policies getting too populist-oriented

- Chin Hui Shan

The opposition PSP's poor showing in the 2025 General Election signals the need for the party to brand itself beyond its founder as well as reflect on its policies' resonance with voters, said political observers.

Experts noted that PSP still relied on the branding of its founder Tan Cheng Bock, who contributed to the party's strong showing in the 2020 polls, and that it is not making headway in transitioning away from it.

Political analyst Loke Hoe Yeong said the presence of two of its leaders—party chief Leong Mun Wai and first vice-chair Hazel Poa—in the 14th Parliament as Non-Constituency MPs did not help PSP gain the traction it desired at the polls.

Dr Tan remained the most recognizable figure in the party during the hustings, he added.

"For too long, the PSP had been too reliant on Tan Cheng Bock's symbolic leadership and public recognisability," said Mr Loke. "Questions will now be asked whether the PSP has done enough to prepare for the post-Tan Cheng Bock era."

The party had said during the campaign that the 2025 General Election will likely be the last one that Dr Tan, 85, will contest.

PSP fielded 13 candidates in six constituencies, and obtained between 24.17 per cent and 39.99 per cent of the vote share, including in West Coast-Jurong West GRC, where it sent its A-team featuring Dr Tan, Mr Leong and Ms Poa.

The results also mean the PSP will lose its parliamentary presence since NCMP seats are given to the top losers in the polls—a title that now belongs to the WP.

The influence of Dr Tan had waned in the 2025 polls, as compared with the 2020 General Election when he was portrayed as a "larger-than-life persona," said observers.