As part of a leadership renewal, Low was succeeded by Pritam Singh as Secretary-General in 2018, and also stepped down as the MP for Aljunied GRC prior to the 2020 general election, making him Singapore's longest-serving opposition Member of Parliament with 29 years in service.

Low is well known for giving speeches in Teochew,[6] which have won him much support from a large number of Teochew-speaking residents in Hougang SMC.

[7] In the 2016 Workers' Party Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections, Low's position of secretary-general was contended by fellow Aljunied MP Chen Show Mao.

Chan Chun Sing, the Minister for Trade and Industry, subsequently praised Low at a Parliament sitting on 15 May 2018 for the role he played in Parliament, acknowledging him as "a fellow Singaporean and very much part of Team Singapore", and that while the PAP may not always agree with Low's perspectives or methods, the PAP nevertheless appreciate(d) his efforts to work together to build a better Singapore.

[11] In 1991, Low, as the Workers' Party's assistant secretary-general, won the single-member constituency (SMC) of Hougang in the 1991 general election and entered Parliament.

After a year of intensive study, Low decided to produce his own independent report as he had a different perspective from the other members of the committee.

During the 2011 general election, Low and Chiam left their respective strongholds in Hougang and Potong Pasir SMC to challenge the ruling PAP in Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs).

[18][19] At the 2015 general election, Low's team along with Pritam Singh, Sylvia Lim, Faisal Manap and Chen Show Mao won and retained their seats in Aljunied GRC.

[20] On 30 April 2020, Low was hospitalised at an intensive care unit in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital as a result of a head injury.

[21] While still recuperating, Workers' Party announced that Low would not contest in the 2020 general election in a move to "broaden its leadership base and also remain in touch with the ground as Singapore's population changes".

[23] Low felt that he had achieved his goals of securing a group representation constituency, which he did with the 2011 general election, and to renew the party leadership.

On 30 April 2020, Low was hospitalised at an intensive care unit in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital as a result of a head injury.