'I've saved a seat for you'

"We could not have got this result if we had not received support from all groups - different races, the old and the young, the well-off and the lower-income.

In 2011, I promised you that we would deal with the issues that concerned you - housing, health, transport, foreign workers. We did.

In this election, you have told us you want us to continue on the new way forward: More inclusive focus on social needs, especially for the elderly and the disadvantaged. And more involvement by citizens, working in partnership with the Government to improve our lives. We have heard the desire for diverse voices in our politics, and we will heed it while staying true to our fundamental principles.

The election results also show that you have rejected divisive politics, and supported rational approaches to solving our problems.

Parties that proposed to slash our defence budget or provide free healthcare were defeated decisively. Our rallies may have been less exciting than the opposition's, but you understood what was at stake, and stood with us.

We live in a troubled world.

By chance, polling day coincided with the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in America. In the Middle East, ISIS is a growing threat, leading astray people in many countries, including a few Singaporeans. Global warming and rising sea levels will affect Singapore in ways we cannot yet predict. We must track these and other external challenges, while attending to our domestic priorities.

This election is a major step forward for our leadership renewal. Joining Heng Swee Keat, Chan Chun Sing, Lawrence Wong and Tan Chuan-Jin from the last batch are Ng Chee Meng, Ong Ye Kung, Chee Hong Tat and Amrin Amin in this round.

More than half of the 83 newly elected MPs are in their 40s or younger. The new team will forge their own bonds with younger Singaporeans.

There is a seat at the table for every Singaporean who wants to build our future. Come join us. Let's get to work, together."

PM Lee Hsien Loong, in a direct e-mail to subscribers of the PAP's e- mail list

This article was first published on September 13, 2015.
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