On 7 November 1957, Marshall inaugurated the Workers’ Party before a gathering of about 800 members. The Workers’ Party pledged to uphold the principles of merdeka (freedom), parliamentary democracy and socialism, and union with the Federation of Malaya. In 1961, just before the Hong Lim by-elections were concluded, the PAP member for Anson died, necessitating a by-election for that ward. Five candidates vied for the candidature and on 15 July, Marshall was elected as the Workers’ Party Assemblyman for Anson.
