SMU Assistant Professor of Law and NMP Eugene Tan commented that it was unlikely that the People’s Action Party would lift the party whip as the Population White Paper was a “matter of policy and not one of personal conscience”. He added that “with the Workers’ Party opposing the motion, the ruling party would not want to show dissension within its ranks”.  With 80 PAP members expected to vote for the motion – an overwhelming majority – the Government has the “mandate from Parliament to proceed with the plans laid out in the White Paper”, he said.