Latest news with #MrSingh
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers legend spotted at popular Glasgow restaurant as ‘unforgettable evening' hailed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RANGERS legend has been spotted at a popular Glasgow restaurant. The venue is run by Rangers fans, with framed Gers shirts and photos of Scotland players hung up on the wall. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 A Rangers legend has been snapped after enjoying a meal at a popular Glasgow restaurant 3 John Greig was pictured with Mr Singh in a post on the restaurant's Facebook page 3 Greig spent his entire 17-year senior playing career with Gers Credit: Alamy John Greig, voted the Greatest Ever Ranger in 1999, posed for a picture after enjoying a meal at Mr Singh's India. He posed with Mr Singh in a picture posted on the restaurant's Facebook. The caption said: "Such a pleasure having John Greig dine with us! "We captured a pitch-perfect moment with Papa Signh and John - absolute legends in our eyes. "A truly unforgettable evening!" Greig played 498 games for the club in a career spanning 17 years from 1961-1978. He won five Scottish titles, six Scottish Cups, four League Cups and the Uefa Cup Winner's Cup in 1972. He later had a five-year spell as manager at Ibrox when he added another four cups to his haul, and is a Hall of Famer too. Meanwhile, a new contender has emerged in the race to become new Gers manager. A report from the BBC says that Ibrox chiefs have spoken to a European manager who is currently out of work. Roger Hannah and Robert Grieve debate if Davide Ancelotti or Russell Martin should be the next Rangers manager in the Coffee Club Ex-Feyenoord manager Brian Priske is believed to have held talks with the club's hierarchy. It's understood that no decision has yet been made, but that Priske is amongst the candidates being considered for the position. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Neighbour who built a detached house on his driveway without permission finally makes it into a garage after six year planning row
Perplexed neighbours living next to a man who built a house on his driveway without permission have breathed a sigh of relief after he finally converted it into a garage. Homeowner Mr Singh ignited a six-year planning row after constructing the lodging outside his home in Highgate, Birmingham. Originally, he had been given planning permission to build a single-storey garage at the property in Vaughton Street in 2019. But Mr Singh left planning bosses stunned when they discovered the building had been converted into a tiny, two-storey house in October 2022. Council chiefs ordered Mr Singh to rip down the home, despite his argument that the structure only had 'minor differences' to what was agreed. The family had previously vowed to leave the 28.5ft by 15.4ft building in place, claiming they were using it as a gym. However, the lodging was converted back to a one-story property with its former front door and dormer window replaced by a garage door. Now photos this week have revealed the building has been ripped down and fully converted into the previously approved, smaller, 17.4ft by 15ft garage. Neighbours have spoke of their relief that the 'bizarre saga' was finally over following years of building work along their street. One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: 'We're glad it's finally all over now, it has been going on for years. 'I dread to think what it has cost the poor bloke. To build a house, knock it down and then build a garage instead, must have cost tens of thousands of pounds at least. 'But he's only got himself to blame, I don't know how he thought he was ever going to get away with it. 'The building work has been a bit of a pain but I'm just happy we don't have to look at that eyesore anymore. It's been a very bizarre, long-running saga.' However, another local was more sympathetic and added: 'I feel a bit sorry for him to be honest. 'Yes it wasn't what was entirely agreed, but it looked smart. And some of the houses around here are much more run down. 'You would have thought they could have come to a bit of compromise with him to save a lot of time and money.' Planners had originally given approval for a garage to be built at the location, which the new building exceeded by several metres. Planning Inspector Thomas Shields wrote in his report: 'The appellant's case is that the building already benefits from planning permission granted by the council in 2019. 'He argues that although there are differences between the approved plans for the garage and the appeal building they are minor differences. 'The approved plans for the garage show a single storey detached garage with a footprint of 5.3m x 4.6m and a height of 3.6m. 'It was also shown having a standard garage door to the front and no windows on any elevation. 'In comparison with the approved garage the appeal building has a footprint of approximately 8.7m x 4.7m and a height of 5.3m 'Consequently, it is substantially larger than the approved building. It is not a minor difference.' The row has left locals in the deprived area of Birmingham scratching their heads. Many felt sympathy with the homeowners who had taken a petition round for locals to sign in the hope of keeping their little house on the driveway. Habib, 19, a student, told MailOnline earlier this month: 'I remember walking past this on my way to school when they were building it. 'They put a lot of elbow grease into it. They were working from eight until five every day. 'It wasn't affecting anyone or blocking anyone's view of anything. It was neat. I'd be fuming if I was them.' Nessa Baharun, who can see the property from her back garden, said: 'Sometimes the Council are just a bit over the top. 'No-one has had their view ruined. If anyone was affected it would be this house and next door but it doesn't bother us. 'It just sits in the corner. I feel sorry for them. They must have lost a lot of money. 'I have seen them taking furniture out of there, so I guess they just use it for storage.' Locals said that the change from house to garage happened over two years ago. One mechanic working on Vaughton Street, a collection of modern semi-detached homes facing a small patch of grass and factory units, said: 'I don't know what it is now. You couldn't drive a car into it, you'd wreck your tyres. 'And it is definitely not a house. It's a nothing.' Other locals questioned the Council's priorities. Neighbour Kemal, a businessman in his sixties, said: 'It does look a bit weird now. It made more sense before and it was not affecting anyone because it was tucked into the corner of the drive.' Shabana Mubarik, a teacher at the nearby Chandos Primary School, said: 'This is a very deprived area. Staff regularly have to pick up canisters which are everywhere to protect the children. 'So I don't care about this little building. I guess it was some jealous neighbour who complained. You don't know. 'It makes sense to me to make use of the space you've got and their driveway allows them that space. I don't know why anyone would have an issue with it.' The Singh family initially put in their plans for a garage on their spacious driveway in 2019. But it wasn't until the aftermath of Covid that they started their build. Birmingham planners said the end result differed substantially from what was agreed and the family went on to lose an appeal against the order to tear it down. A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: 'Planning consent was granted for a single-story detached garage to the side of the property on Vaughton Street, Highgate on 7 March 2019. 'The building erected following that permission bore little resemblance to the original scale and design, as a result enforcement action followed and remedial works carried out to reduce its size, returning it to its planned use as storage/garage. 'Planning permission was already in place for a very similar building, so no further action was considered necessary. 'Planning enforcement is essential for maintaining public confidence in the planning system. 'Without it, there is a risk that unauthorised developments could undermine the legitimacy of approved plans and policies.'
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The man who built a two-storey HOUSE on his driveway: How family waged war with council over illegal home... but three years later who won?
It was a brazen move by a homeowner that set off a years-long feud with Birmingham Council. Mr M Singh was ordered to tear down a building on his driveway after he constructed a two-storey home in place of what was meant to be a humble garage. Council bosses were left shocked to discover the family, who had originally been given approval for a single-storey garage at their semi-detached property in Highgate, Birmingham, had instead built a little house. When MailOnline visited the property in October 2022, the homeowner had lost an appeal against the enforcement action, but the structure - including a large dormer window - was still intact. But three years later, the building, though remains standing, looks entirely different. Discussions between Mr Singh and the council led to both parties accepting modifications which have left it looking garage-like while keeping the front doorstep. The front door to the mini-property has now been replaced by a traditional garage door, and the large dormer window to the side has been ripped down. The row has left locals in the deprived area of Birmingham scratching their heads. Many felt sympathy with the homeowners who had taken a petition round for locals to sign in the hope of keeping their little house on the driveway. Habib, 19, a student, said: 'I remember walking past this on my way to school when they were building it. 'They put a lot of elbow grease into it. They were working from eight until five every day. 'It wasn't affecting anyone or blocking anyone's view of anything. It was neat. I'd be fuming if I was them.' But despite collecting dozens of signatures, the Singh family, whose property it is, were forced to alter the structure significantly. Nessa Baharun, who can see the property from her back garden, said: 'Sometimes the Council are just a bit over the top. 'No-one has had their view ruined. If anyone was affected it would be this house and next door but it doesn't bother us. 'It just sits in the corner. I feel sorry for them. They must have lost a lot of money. 'I have seen them taking furniture out of there, so I guess they just use it for storage.' Locals said that the change from house to garage happened over two years ago. One mechanic working on Vaughton Street, a collection of modern semi-detached homes facing a small patch of grass and factory units, said: 'I don't know what it is now. You couldn't drive a car into it, you'd wreck your tyres. 'And it is definitely not a house. It's a nothing.' Other locals questioned the Council's priorities. Neighbour Kemal, a businessman in his sixties, said: 'It does look a bit weird now. It made more sense before and it was not affecting anyone because it was tucked into the corner of the drive. 'This area has a lot of problems and that building is not one of them. 'Drug use is rife. The area is covered with these Top Whip canisters which are some sort of drug. 'We have a primary school on the road and children having to step over rubbish and drug stuff on their way to school. 'There's one patch of grass which is all littered and the Council are worrying about a neat little building.' Shabana Mubarik, a teacher at the nearby Chandos Primary School, said: 'This is a very deprived area. Staff regularly have to pick up canisters which are everywhere to protect the children. 'So I don't care about this little building. I guess it was some jealous neighbour who complained. You don't know. 'It makes sense to me to make use of the space you've got and their driveway allows them that space. I don't know why anyone would have an issue with it.' And Kyah Rosser, 18, out walking her dog, added: 'I've lived around here all my life and I think the Council should definitely have allowed them to keep what they'd done. 'It's their land. It makes no difference to anyone.' The Singh family initially put in their plans for a garage on their spacious driveway in 2009. But it wasn't until the aftermath of Covid that they started their build. Birmingham planners said the end result differed substantially from what was agreed and the family went on to lose an appeal against the order to tear it down. Most locals recalled Mrs Singh going around the area with a petition asking neighbours to support them. Geoff, a 60-year-old, said: 'I signed to support them but they misled the Government so they were always going to be in trouble. 'You can't say you want a garage and build a house even if it does make no difference. The rules is the rules.' But Kerry, a 30-year-old Mum on the school run, said: 'I do feel sorry for them. They had a plan to make their lives better, spent a lot of money and now they can't use it for its intended purpose. 'It's not blocking any scenic view. There's not much to look at around here.' The Singh family, whose property it is, did not wish to comment further, saying that the issue was now closed.
Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
WP's strategy clicks into place, even without new wins at GE2025
WP candidates taking the stage before the announcement of the election results on May 4. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Commentary WP's strategy clicks into place, even without new wins at GE2025 SINGAPORE — For a hot minute on Nomination Day, WP chief Pritam Singh hopped on a bus bound for Yusof Ishak Secondary School – the nomination centre for East Coast and Punggol GRCs – teasing what looked like a bold departure from the party's Aljunied stronghold to conquer new ground. But the Leader of the Opposition would then alight, and subsequently board another bus bound for Poi Ching School, the nomination centre for Aljunied GRC, where he would eventually contest. If he had left with the first bus, things might have panned out differently at the polls on May 3, with the WP potentially winning more seats instead of retaining its existing 10. 'In hindsight, everybody is a master,' Mr Singh himself said on May 4 when asked how he would have conducted things differently. Political observers said the way the WP played its cards this general election was ambitious and conservative in equal parts – a paradoxical mix of bold manoeuvres and calculated restraint that ultimately delivered mixed results, offering both reason to celebrate and cause for regret. Conservative, because the party's top brass – Mr Singh and chairwoman Sylvia Lim – stayed put in their Aljunied 'home base' along with head of policy research Gerald Giam, choosing only to swing vice-chair Faisal Manap out to Tampines GRC. Ambitious, as the WP appeared to have deployed its candidates in a way that gave it the best possible chance to win big – all 26 of the 97 seats it was contesting, which would have been a leap towards its medium-term goal of securing a third of Parliament from the 10 seats it held. Several aspects of its campaign hinted at this game plan to chip away at the PAP's vote share uniformly across all eight battlegrounds where the 26 were fielded. One, the WP spread the deployment of its higher-profile first-time candidates – such as Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh, former Institute of Mental Health director Ong Lue Ping, and start-up co-founder Michael Thng – across Tampines and Punggol GRCs, not prioritising either one. NTU political scientist Walid Jumblatt Abdullah opined that had the WP fielded Mr Harpreet Singh in Tampines alongside Mr Faisal, it 'would have been a done deal'. But Mr Harpreet Singh was fielded in Punggol, while Dr Ong and Mr Thng were fielded in Tampines alongside Mr Faisal. The allocation of its most appealing candidates to the two GRCs – both areas where the WP had never ventured in past elections – led to the perception that the party had deprioritised East Coast GRC, where it had come close to winning after two decades of it chipping away at the PAP's majority. The likely reality is that WP's strategy to win all 26 seats had necessitated the allocation of its chips in areas where fresh party buy-in was needed the most. Instead of fielding a line-up of higher-profile candidates to move East Coast voters, the party likely thought that its two decades of groundwork and brand premium would come through and flip the group representation constituency blue in this election, with former Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong as the 'party heavyweight' at the helm. WP's move to cede Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC – where its members and volunteers had poured hundreds of hours over the past five years sustaining a ground presence after its 2015 and 2020 electoral bids, only for it to end in a walkover – made greater sense if the plan was to win 26 seats. Past electoral results have shown that the former Marine Parade GRC was a tough ground to crack. The absorption of MacPherson SMC further altered the battleground this time, and the WP likely assessed that its chances of winning had diminished. Instead of fielding its reserve pool of candidates there, concentrating its firepower elsewhere allowed the WP to put forward the message that its slate of 26 was the best the party has ever convened, and Singaporeans should seize the opportunity to shore up the opposition bench in Parliament. As the days bore out, the WP leaders repeated this message in more than a few ways: The 26 present a 'serious choice' against PAP backbenchers, Mr Pritam Singh said. Even if Singaporeans vote in all 26, the ratio of WP MPs to PAP MPs will be only about two or three to nine, he said in another setting. At the final rally before Polling Day, Ms Lim said: 'If these candidates do not get elected this time, there may be no next time.' WP also made a strong push for the single seats of Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat, with Mr Pritam Singh taking aim at the NTUC's close relationship with the PAP. Labour chief Ng Chee Meng and NTUC assistant secretary-general Desmond Choo were PAP contenders in the two SMCs. At one rally, the WP chief called the labour movement a 'guaranteed trampoline' for losing PAP candidates, saying Mr Ng and Mr Choo would continue helping workers even if they were not elected. The thinking behind WP spreading its 14 new faces so evenly across its eight battlegrounds – Aljunied, Sengkang, Tampines, Punggol, East Coast, Hougang, Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat – was likely not to just win one or two more constituencies, but to take them all. Pulling away from the rest In the end, the WP's cautious yet ambitious campaign led to the opposition party solidifying its grip on its existing seats, while gaining a foothold in adjacent constituencies . By keeping its leaders in the Aljunied safe harbour, the WP consolidated its base. The party fared better in two of the three constituencies it held and maintained status quo in the third. It polled 56.31 per cent in Sengkang GRC, improving on the 2020 result by 4.2 percentage points, while its Hougang score inched up almost one percentage point to hit 62.17 per cent. The WP also garnered 59.68 per cent of the vote in Aljunied, largely unchanged from its 59.95 per cent result in 2020 – allaying fears that Mr Pritam Singh's court trial over two charges of lying to a parliamentary committee could factor at the polls. These results suggest that once constituencies turn blue, the ground is likely to stay blue. The WP's ambitious streak saw it gain a foothold in several new territories contiguous to the three it holds, though the party ultimately walked away empty-handed from its drive to capture multiple new constituencies. Zooming out, WP ran a considerably larger campaign in 2025 than it did in 2020, covering 32.8 per cent more voters. Yet, the expansion came without making a dent to its vote share, which dipped slightly from 50.49 per cent in 2020 to the current 50.04 per cent. Safe to say, today's WP is no longer the party it was a decade ago, when it was still finding its footing. Before the 2020 election, the WP's popular vote share had fluctuated more widely between 38.4 per cent and 46.6 per cent. It is now clearly a head above the rest of the opposition parties. NUS economist and former Nominated MP Ivan Png's statistical analysis further confirms this. In his bid to figure out how far ahead the support for the three top opposition parties of 2020 are from that of the other opposition parties, he found that the average WP candidate polled 25.9 percentage points higher in 2025, compared with 2006 when its lead was much smaller, at 3.4 percentage points. This shows that the WP premium has grown, and the party has pulled away from the rest of the opposition pack . It also reflects that even as more voters threw their support behind the ruling party at the election, they also wanted a continued and stable opposition presence in Parliament, with the WP securing a firm place in Singapore's evolving political landscape. Said Singapore Management University's Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan: 'Voters signalled that a firm mandate for the PAP was not at all at odds with a more vibrant political system characterised by a credible and responsible opposition.' 'That the WP maintained its ground despite its controversies in the past five years is a reflection of the niche it now occupies in Singapore's political firmament,' he added. Playing the long game All these provide the context to former Hougang MP Png Eng Huat's sanguine message to the WP on May 4. He wrote in a Facebook post: 'The WP has planted the seeds in this GE. I look forward to a well-earned harvest for the new generation in the coming years. This is a fitting time to close an old book and start a new one. Congratulations to the Workers' Party and godspeed.' Asked about it, he told The Straits Times the 'old book' refers to an old order where the party leaned towards making politically expedient moves that relied too much on party figureheads at the expense of greener hands. This meant it ended up poorer in terms of experience and exposure. 'Party figureheads are important but it can't be more important than party renewal,' he told ST. If Mr Png's words are anything to go by, the book that the WP is writing next is about giving its next generation of leaders enough room to come into their own, instead of just focusing on securing wins. Lending weight to this theory was the decision to field 33-year-old former disputes lawyer and newcomer Andre Low in Jalan Kayu SMC, where he was given the chance to hold his own against Mr Ng, a 56-year-old former minister, and earn his political chops in the process. Institute of Policy Studies senior research fellow Gillian Koh picked this up as well, giving her take that the way its chips were played showed that the WP was 'comfortable with playing the long game'. They are good choices that set the stage for 'more organic growth' and 'more robust connection' between the newbies and the areas they are entrusted with, she said. In an interview with ST on April 18, Mr Low said the party has started working at trimming its 'key man risk' – having all expertise and knowledge centred around key individuals – and establishing a stronger party machinery. 'I do think that, in a good way, we have gotten to a place as a party where it's not down to the individual anymore. Some of us can step away, if life comes into the picture, but we are mature enough now that the cause will keep going, and people will come in,' he said. Prof Tan said the buzz and excitement generated by the 14 WP new faces this time round stand them in good stead in the next general election, where the stakes, given 2025's fruitless run, would be higher. For its goal of one-third of Parliament seats to 'still be within the ballpark of realism for its current leaders', the party should double its seat count by the end of the decade, he noted. Dr Koh said the WP's moderate tactics, grounded policy proposals, and fresh-faced candidates are likely to attract more voters to its brand in the years ahead. Singapore is on its way to a ' 1½- party system' , where the opposition does not yet present itself to be a shadow government but is a steady presence to hold the dominant party to account, she added. 'I think (the WP leaders) read the room correctly,' she said, pointing to how voters want credible opposition candidates on the ballot. WP has worked towards 'high averages with three or four new stars' fielded in teams, she added. But whether the party can field good candidates in the same constituencies at the next election, and also introduce a fresh batch of credible newcomers, remains to be seen, Dr Koh said. Another question mark is whether it will have sufficient resources to scale up and contest in more than a third of the seats, she added. Wong Pei Ting is a correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers politics and social affairs. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Independent Singapore
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
Was the WP right to keep Pritam Singh and Sylvia Lim at Aljunied? Many believe so
- Advertisement - SINGAPORE: Since the Workers' Party announced its candidates for the May 3 polls on Nomination Day, armchair commentators have questioned the party's strategy of keeping its two highest-profile candidates at Aljunied GRC. Pritam Singh and Sylvia Lim, the party's secretary-general and chair, respectively, are aiming for a fourth term in Parliament representing Aljunied GRC, which is now pretty much established as an opposition stronghold. At a press conference to introduce the WP candidates on April 17, Mr Singh said the party would be contesting fewer than a third of the seats in Parliament this year, signalling that while the WP would naturally want more elected MPs, the party would proceed with more caution than risk. Prior to Nomination Day, speculation abounded as to where the WP would field candidates. Many believed that former MPs He Ting Ru, Jamus Lim, and Louis Chua would stay where they were, believing it would be necessary for them to serve a second term to solidify the party's foothold at Sengkang. - Advertisement - As for the Aljunied GRC MPs, Mr Singh, Ms Lim, WP vice chair Faisal Manap, and former Non-Constituency MP Gerald Giam, there was speculation they would go further afield to strengthen the WP's chances of winning more constituencies. On Nomination Day, it was revealed that Mr Manap would lead the team at Tampines GRC, but Mr Singh, Ms Lim, and Mr Giam would contest at Aljunied. There have been mixed reactions to this. Some argued that Ms Lim, in particular, could have helmed the WP slate either at East Coast GRC or Punggol GRC. It's possible, after all, that for the party chair, who just turned 60, this may be the last time she contests an election. Others have said that Mr Singh, who is widely respected despite being convicted earlier this year of lying to a Parliamentary committee, could have lent his star power to newer candidates elsewhere. Some even dreamed of a Singh-Singh team-up, with the party chief heading a slate that included new candidate Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh, who is leading the charge for the WP at Punggol GRC. - Advertisement - There were commenters who even said that Ms Lim and Mr Singh could have passed the Aljunied baton to Mr Giam, a popular figure who has established himself as a capable parliamentarian in his own right. However, many Singaporeans online believe that the caution exercised by the WP this time was a wise move. 'I believe their main focus for this election is to consolidate their seats (retaining existing seats plus perhaps 1/2 more constituencies), and to show that the quality of WP candidates is as good as the PAP's… Perhaps they have deduced that the time is not ripe yet for a more aggressive approach,' wrote one. 'Their goal, as mentioned by them, is to deny the PAP a 2/3 majority. They can't be too aggressive. As long as they hold this, plus a few new others like Tampines GRC (with Changkat), they will achieve their goal, which is a win for both the WP and Singaporeans,' agreed another. - Advertisement - Some pointed out that the WP is already fielding two new faces at Aljunied, Fadli Fawzi and Kenneth Tiong. If any of the other former MPs moved to another constituency, three new candidates might have made Aljunied voters skittish. 'If Sylvia goes to another GRC and loses, WP loses one of the veterans in parliament. WP losing a veteran is magnitudes more impactful than PAP losing a veteran,' a Reddit user wrote. 'I personally felt that it was a smart move on their part. Solidifying their foothold in Aljunied rather than sending out their heavyweights elsewhere. How would Aljunied residents feel then? After all, it took them 20 years of hard work in Hougang. Retain existing constituents and recreate 2020 with a quality team to further expand their foothold. That seems like the best possible move now for them,' another agreed. As they say, hindsight is 20/20. Whether the WP played its cards right for GE2025 will be known after the last ballot is counted on May 3. /TISG Read also: Pritam Singh explains why Singaporeans should vote for the WP
