Do manifestos matter? The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) will return to power; the only question is by how much. But the ruling party has long accused the opposition of lacking ideas, or proposing ones that ignore the realities of governing a tiny, resource-scarce nation whose prosperity is forever precarious. Manifestos help test that claim. Are opposition parties really detached from reality? Does the PAP’s institutional expertise, acquired over 60 years in power, make it the sole arbiter of good policy?

These manifestos tell a different story. They tackle issues ranging from cost of living to foreign policy; and suggest solutions—even if not all are convincing. The Workers’ Party (WP) has even included past proposals which it claims the PAP later adopted, such as the Workplace Fairness Act and shared parental leave. Ironically, it’s the ruling party whose manifesto is light on detail, with broad promises to provide “more access to mental health services” and to “explore more public housing options for higher-income couples and singles.” To be fair, PAP’s substantive policies are unveiled in budget speeches and between elections. These, not its manifesto, are better comparisons with opposition plans. We’ve selected a few key issues to focus on: cost-of-living and inequality, housing, immigration, education, foreign policy and governance.