20 words & phrases that defined 2020: Blank cheque

Former Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang joining the WP team contesting in Aljunied GRC, led by WP secretary-general Pritam Singh (behind Mr Low), at Hougang Mall on the last day of campaigning on July 8. Former Nee Soon GRC PAP MP Lee Bee Wah tea
Dr Tan Cheng Bock, who led the Progress Singapore Party team that contested in West Coast GRC, at Teban Gardens Market and Food Centre on July 12, two days after the polls. His team lost to the PAP team helmed by Minister S. Iswaran.
The Workers’ Party’s Jamus Lim (right) during a live debate broadcast on TV and online on July 1, 2020.
The Workers’ Party’s Jamus Lim (right) during a live debate broadcast on TV and online on July 1, 2020. ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
Former Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang joining the WP team contesting in Aljunied GRC, led by WP secretary-general Pritam Singh (behind Mr Low), at Hougang Mall on the last day of campaigning on July 8. Former Nee Soon GRC PAP MP Lee Bee Wah tea
Former Workers’ Party chief Low Thia Khiang joining the WP team contesting in Aljunied GRC, led by WP secretary-general Pritam Singh (behind Mr Low), at Hougang Mall on the last day of campaigning on July 8.
Former Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang joining the WP team contesting in Aljunied GRC, led by WP secretary-general Pritam Singh (behind Mr Low), at Hougang Mall on the last day of campaigning on July 8. Former Nee Soon GRC PAP MP Lee Bee Wah tea
Left: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong chatting with residents at a coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 on July 2. ST PHOTOS: GAVIN FOO, KUA CHEE SIONG, LIM YAOHUI, CHONG JUN LIANG, DESMOND WEE, SHINTARO TAY, DESMOND FOO
Senior Political Correspondent
  • Published
    Dec 22, 2020, 5:00 am SGT
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

SINGAPORE - In the 2020 General Election, the call to deny the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) a "blank cheque" resonated with the electorate, who voted to increase the number of opposition MPs in Parliament.

The phrase came from then Workers' Party candidate Jamus Lim, who in a televised debate with Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, said: "What we are trying to deny the PAP is not a mandate. What we're trying to deny them is a blank cheque."

Please or to continue reading the full article.

Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month

  • Latest headlines and exclusive stories
  • In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content
  • Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months*
Subscribe now

*Terms and conditions apply.

Join ST's Telegram channel here and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Topics: