It took 16 years after our independence for the opposition to win even one elected seat. And 23 years after 1988, when the GRC system was introduced, for the opposition to win one GRC.

In this quote, Pritam Singh reflects on the political landscape of Singapore and the challenges faced by the opposition in gaining electoral success. He points out that after Singapore's independence, it took 16 years for the opposition to win a single elected seat in the parliament. The delay in opposition representation underscores the dominance of the ruling party and the political difficulties faced by those opposing the government. Singh’s mention of the GRC system (Group Representation Constituency), introduced in 1988, highlights another barrier that made it even more difficult for the opposition to secure representation, taking 23 years before the opposition won a GRC.

Singh is emphasizing the slow and hard-fought progress of the opposition in a system that has been heavily tilted in favor of the ruling party. The GRC system was designed to ensure that political groups represent a diverse range of citizens, but critics argue that it has made it harder for smaller, less established political parties to compete effectively. Singh’s reference to this system reflects his belief in how the political environment in Singapore has favored one-party dominance, making opposition success historically rare.

The origin of this quote is tied to Pritam Singh's perspective as a key member of the opposition in Singapore. As a member of the Workers' Party, Singh is often critical of the political system that has maintained the People's Action Party (PAP) in power for decades. His comments reflect the challenges faced by opposition parties in Singapore, where the ruling party has maintained control over much of the political process, including through strategic electoral systems like the GRC.

In essence, Singh’s quote highlights the political dominance of the ruling party in Singapore and the significant hurdles the opposition has faced in gaining political traction. His statement underscores the slow pace of political change and the impact of electoral systems that can make it difficult for alternative voices to gain representation, even many years after independence.