Dear Friends & Supporters

The 2006 General Election is a turning point not only for many people but especially also for WP.

The warm and generous support from all of you has greatly encouraged all of us to work harder to serve the people. We were touched by people who came from all walks of life and braved the rain and muddy fields to attend our rallies, gave us feedback, brought us food and ginseng drink to 'replenish' our candidates during the rallies, bought our Hammer publication and souvenirs, and even gave us donations.

Someone also told me that he met a group of elderly ladies asking for directions to one of our rallies. They had come all the way from Jurong to support Sylvia and the WP! There were many other heart-warming stories like this that motivated us and kept us focused on our responsibilities to the people and electorate.

"Thank You' to all of you - without your support, WP would not be here today.

We also want to apologise to those of you who had come to our rally at the Serangoon Stadium but were not able to get in. We were told that some of the people seated at the stand could not hear us. However, there was nothing we could do in this regard as we were not allowed to use the stadium speakers nor were we allowed to put up our own speakers at the stand.

We also want to thank all our helpers who worked tirelessly during the campaign period. To contest in 3 GRCs and 4 SMCs, we needed hundreds of helpers to be election agents, polling agents and to walk the ground with the candidates. All of them came forward to help without expecting anything in return and in the process even paid for most of their own expenses such as transportation. Despite this, we still did not have enough polling agents and as such, on polling day we were only able to field a couple of polling agents in each polling centre. The helpers and election agents who set up the rally sites also often had to work in the rain. WP is fortunate to have such support.

After the elections, many people came to our 'Open House' which is held every Monday at our party premises, not only to show their support but also to find a channel to be involved in the development of Singapore. They came alone or with their friends and families and a number of them, including retirees, young professionals and executives also joined us as members.

The challenge for WP now is how to move forward and not let all of you who have supported us down. We hope to continue and develop a party that is worthy of the support and vote from the people.

To do this, we will continue with the renewal of the party and nurture new leaders and potential candidates. We will put emphasis on ground work, engage in rational political discourse and strengthen our organisational structures.

We hope you will continue to give us your support and feedback. Or better still, work with WP to build a more democratic society and to signal to the PAP government that we want accountability and a First World Nation that treasures the ideals of a better and more humane society for all. Which First World country has 20% of its households living on $800 a month, and yet its ministers have $100,000/- monthly salaries?

You can decide and you have the power to make the change.

Low Thia Khiang
Secretary-General

Box Story :

Overhead:

1) I have lived in the same house in Yishun since 1978 and have voted 3 times BUT all under different constituencies. The first time was under Nee Soon, the 2nd time was Cheng San and this time it was Ang Mo Kio! So do I know my MPs? I have never seen them!!!
2) I am 60 years old but I have NEVER voted before.
3) I found an earthworm in my jeans after coming home from one of the WP's rallies! After that my friends and I were careful to check our muddy pants and shoes before going home after each rally.
4) My brother was depressed for a couple of days after the election results. He had hoped that WP would win Aljunied or Nee Soon.
5) The shopkeeper told me to hurry up and make my purchase. He wanted to close shop to attend a WP rally.
6) When the taxi-driver found out that I was going to a WP "Thank You" dinner for helpers, he charged me $1 less!
7) I had a conversation with a taxi-driver about the recent elections. The driver asked me whether I was an Hougang resident. When I said yes, he replied, "Ah.. then you are lucky. You are one of the few who have the satisfaction and joy of voting for an opposition party that won!"