Red Dot United (RDU) announced on 12 April 2025 that it is withdrawing from the opposition coalition it co-founded in October 2023, following a disagreement with the National Solidarity Party (NSP) over electoral strategy.
The decision was triggered by NSP’s intention to contest Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC), where the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has also signalled interest, resulting in a potential three-cornered fight with the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).
RDU Secretary-General, in a press statement, said that while the party supports the right of all political parties to stand for election, such rights must be balanced with strategic unity.
He added that “voters should not be forced to decide between choosing the right party and championing the right of a party to contest”.
RDU stressed that multi-cornered contests often benefit the incumbent and dilute opposition strength.
The party’s decision reflects a belief that electoral strategy must serve the broader goal of strengthening democracy, rather than fragmenting opposition support.
The statement added that the party believes the “strongest candidate with ground support, resources, and resonance with voters” should be given a clean opportunity to challenge the PAP directly.
RDU further stated that SDP is well-positioned to represent Sembawang residents and deserves a two-way contest.
It said it could not support NSP’s decision, as it undermines a core belief of the coalition — putting voters’ interests first.
The opposition coalition — comprising RDU, NSP, the Singapore United Party (SUP), and the Singapore People’s Party (SPP) — was established to avoid overlapping candidacies and to promote unity among smaller parties contesting in Singapore’s general elections.
RDU noted it had worked not only within the coalition but also with other parties outside the bloc to minimise multi-cornered contests.
“We believe that this approach must also be extended to the broader opposition movement in Singapore,” the party said.
RDU reiterated its commitment to only contest where it has strong ground engagement and believes it can effectively serve constituents in both Parliament and town councils.
The fallout stems from a failed attempt to broker a compromise between SDP and NSP regarding contest plans in the northern constituencies.
According to media reports, during a meeting on 8 April, SDP proposed that NSP shift its contest to Holland-Bukit Timah GRC. This was rejected by NSP, which viewed the proposal as inappropriate.
NSP Secretary-General Spencer Ng likened the proposal to “exchanging of wives”, stating that such a swap would compromise the integrity of his party’s longstanding engagement in Sembawang GRC and the newly-created Sembawang West SMC.
Speaking during a walkabout in Woodlands on 12 April, Ng clarified that NSP would not consider contesting Holland-Bukit Timah, describing the idea of redrawing party contest lines arbitrarily as something that “makes no sense”.
NSP is now expected to contest in both Sembawang GRC and Sembawang West SMC, despite SDP’s interest in the latter.
Dr Chee Soon Juan, SDP’s leader, had previously been active in Bukit Batok SMC, which was recently redrawn into Jurong East–Bukit Batok GRC.
Elsewhere, NSP is also facing potential three- or four-cornered contests in Tampines GRC. The Workers’ Party and the People’s Power Party, led by Goh Meng Seng, are reportedly eyeing the same area.
The NSP secured 33.59 percent of the votes in Tampines GRC and 32.71 percent in Sembawang GRC against the PAP in the 2020 General Election.
RDU concluded its statement by expressing disappointment in NSP’s decision, but expressed hope that the party would eventually return to the coalition’s founding values of prioritising voter interests and unity in the opposition landscape.
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