Liberal Socialist Party
Encyclopedia
The Liberal Socialist Party (LSP) is a defunct political party
which was formerly active within the politics of Singapore
. It was formed in the 1950s from the merger of the Singapore Progressive Party (SPP) and the Democratic Party
(DP), the latter not to be confused with the Singapore Democratic Party
(SDP). The merger occurred in order to consolidate their relatively compatible and similar aims, that of gradual and nonradical progressivism
implementing liberal
policies. Their ideology should be distinguished from libertarian socialism
.
The merger occurred because of the weak performance of both parties in the Singapore general election of 1955
, but members started to merge with the Singapore People's Alliance
(SPA) before the following general election of 1959. The LSP contested the general election of 1959 against the SPA, had a significant showing, gaining more than 8% of the popular vote and contesting 32 seats, but failed to win any of them. Following the election most of the LSP merged with the SPA and the rump of the LSP died out as the now ruling People's Action Party
(PAP) gained dominance. The SPA itself would fade away during the incidents of merger, ensuing heated PAP-UMNO relations
, and a shifted political focus towards an additional struggle between the PAP and the Barisan Sosialis
. The LSP ceased to exist by 1965, when Singapore became fully independent, and never had the chance to win any seats.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
which was formerly active within the politics of Singapore
Politics of Singapore
The politics of Singapore takes the form of a parliamentary republic whereby the President of Singapore is the head of state, the Prime Minister of Singapore is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the cabinet. Cabinet has the general direction and...
. It was formed in the 1950s from the merger of the Singapore Progressive Party (SPP) and the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Singapore)
The Democratic Party was a shortlived party that was registered on 11 February 1955 by the people from Mandarin-speaking bourgeois who were members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.-Formation, the rise and the fall of DP:...
(DP), the latter not to be confused with the Singapore Democratic Party
Singapore Democratic Party
The Singapore Democratic Party is an opposition political party in Singapore.The party was founded in 1980 by Chiam See Tong, who as Secretary-General became the party's first Member of Parliament in 1984 when he was elected as MP for Potong Pasir...
(SDP). The merger occurred in order to consolidate their relatively compatible and similar aims, that of gradual and nonradical progressivism
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
implementing liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
policies. Their ideology should be distinguished from libertarian socialism
Libertarian socialism
Libertarian socialism is a group of political philosophies that promote a non-hierarchical, non-bureaucratic, stateless society without private property in the means of production...
.
The merger occurred because of the weak performance of both parties in the Singapore general election of 1955
Singaporean general election, 1955
The 1955 Legislative Assembly General Elections was held in Singapore on 2 April 1955 to elect twenty-five elective seats on the Legislative Assembly...
, but members started to merge with the Singapore People's Alliance
Singapore People's Alliance
The Singapore People's Alliance was a political party in Singapore founded in 1959 that was drawn from the abandoned political party Labour Front and has never won any seats in the Parliament of Singapore...
(SPA) before the following general election of 1959. The LSP contested the general election of 1959 against the SPA, had a significant showing, gaining more than 8% of the popular vote and contesting 32 seats, but failed to win any of them. Following the election most of the LSP merged with the SPA and the rump of the LSP died out as the now ruling People's Action Party
People's Action Party
The People's Action Party is the leading political party in Singapore. It has been the city-state's ruling political party since 1959....
(PAP) gained dominance. The SPA itself would fade away during the incidents of merger, ensuing heated PAP-UMNO relations
PAP-UMNO relations
The sometimes turbulent relationship between the People's Action Party and United Malays National Organisation , which were, and still are, the ruling parties respectively of Singapore and Malaysia, has affected the recent history of both states.-Origins:Both parties have common roots, being...
, and a shifted political focus towards an additional struggle between the PAP and the Barisan Sosialis
Barisan Sosialis
The Barisan Sosialis is a former Singaporean left-wing political party formed in 1961, by left-wing members of the People's Action Party and led by Dr Lee Siew Choh and Lim Chin Siong.-Formation:...
. The LSP ceased to exist by 1965, when Singapore became fully independent, and never had the chance to win any seats.