David Marshall is appointed the first Chief Minister

Background

Singapore was granted partial internal self-government under the Rendel Constitution in 1955. Prominent lawyer and leader of the Labour Front, David Marshall, became the first chief minister of Singapore when the Labour Front-Alliance coalition government was formed after the first Legislative Assembly election held in April 1955.^[1] Marshall's tenure as chief minister coincided with mounting labour and student agitation that resulted in the Hock Lee Bus riots on 12 May the following month.^[2]

Pressing for an end to colonial rule, Marshall led a 13-man all-party delegation in what became the first of three constitutional talks held in London in April 1956 to determine the terms of full internal self-government for Singapore with the British government.^[3] The talks ended in a deadlock on 15 May over the issue of internal security. Failing in his pledge to obtain internal self-government, Marshall resigned as chief minister in June.^[4] Lim Yew Hock, who was then the Minister for Labour and Welfare, succeeded Marshall as chief minister.^[5]

References
1. Labour wins – Marshall will be chief minister. (1955, April 3). The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Marshall names his men. (1955, April 7). The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
2. Chew, E., & Lee, E. (Eds.). (1991). A history of Singapore (p. 134). Singapore: Oxford University Press. Call no.: RSING 959.57 HIS.
3. Chan, H. C. (2008). A sensation of independence: A political biography of David Marshall (p. 183). Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions. Call no.: RSING 324.2092 CHA.
4. Mr. M: End colonialism or govt. quits. (1956, March 19). The Straits Times, p. 1; Lim told: Take the helm. (1956, June 8). The Straits Times, p. 1; Miller, H. (1956, May 17). Drama of the last hours. The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
5. The Straits Times, 8 Jun 1956, p. 1.