GE2025: Are independent candidates a new force to be reckoned with? | Deep Dive podcast

Key Concepts

• Independent Candidates in Singapore Elections
• Election Deposit
• Campaigning Strategies
• Housing Crisis & Bitcoin as a Solution
• Drink Driving Penalties
• Electoral Boundaries
• Volunteerism & Political Advocacy

Independent Candidates in Singapore Elections

• The video discusses the role and experiences of independent candidates in Singapore's general elections, focusing on Jeremy and Darl, two independent candidates from the recent election.
• Historically, independent candidates have been seen as "colorful characters" but rarely successful, often losing their election deposits.
• The election deposit started at $500 in 1968 but has increased to $13,500.
• Mr. Chamsy Tong, a former Pong Pasia MP, was a two-time independent candidate before forming the SDP and entering parliament in 1984.

Campaigning Experiences and Challenges

• Both Jeremy and Darl describe their campaigning experience as "overwhelming" and "exhilarating."
• Jeremy mentions having around 500 volunteers, while Darl had a smaller but similar experience.
• Darl, who is shy, found it challenging to speak Mandarin and dialects to older residents.
• Jeremy, who has experience selling skincare products and mechanical keyboards, was used to dealing with difficult customers, which helped him handle criticism during the campaign.
• Jeremy encountered residents who were primarily concerned with town council issues rather than parliamentary matters.

Policy Positions and Proposed Solutions

• Jeremy's Focus:
  • He believes Singapore is facing a housing crisis where people view housing as a retirement asset.
  • He argues that geopolitical tensions between the US and China are increasing pressure on the property market.
  • His proposed solution involves removing land costs and reverting HDB to a registration-only system, without using CPF for payments.
  • He advocates for Bitcoin as a solution to counterbalance US interests and address wealth storage concerns.
  • He acknowledges that his views on Bitcoin may have cost him votes due to its perceived risk.
• Darl's Focus:
  • He focuses on smaller, specific issues that he believes the government hasn't adequately addressed.
  • He proposes increasing penalties for drink driving, citing its rise and the lack of effective countermeasures.

Funding and Support

• Darl rejected offers of donations to avoid appearing opportunistic, especially given the rising cost of living.
• Jeremy had an unusual experience where someone threw a crumpled $100 bill at one of his volunteers, which he used to buy food for the volunteers.
• Jeremy mentioned that some millionaires and billionaires in Mountbatten expressed interest in supporting him if he pursued a more conservative, pro-business approach in the future.

Electoral Boundaries and Future Plans

• Both candidates expressed concern about the uncertainty of future electoral boundaries.
• Jeremy is worried about the 2030 election and whether he will stand again, depending on the electoral boundary changes.
• Darl shares a similar view, noting that Radin Mas's boundaries have shifted in the past.
• Both candidates are likely to run again in 2030, aiming to further their policy goals.

Importance of Independent Voices

• Jeremy believes independent voices are crucial in parliament to offer balanced perspectives and avoid extreme or unrealistic proposals.
• He criticized some opposition parties for making unrealistic promises and casting a shadow on the quality of the opposition.
• Jeremy achieved 36% of the vote, the highest for an independent candidate in 53 years.

Campaign Logistics and Symbolism

• The candidates exchanged notes on logistical matters, such as filling out forms.
• Jeremy chose a duck as his logo because ducks are "multi-dynamic" and can fly, swim, and walk on land, symbolizing their ability to navigate various challenges.
• Darl chose a dog as his logo, specifically a beagle, because he has three beagles, loves them, and associates them with loyalty and hard work. He also joked that it was the "underdog" to the PAP's elephant.

Personal Backgrounds and Motivations

• Jeremy told his wife about his decision to run in August 2023.
• Jeremy's wife managed his volunteers, making it a two-person show. His election expenses, including the rally, totaled $17,000.
• Jeremy grew up in Jurong West, moved to rental housing, and experienced financial hardship, including periods without water and electricity. Both his parents were former bankrupts.
• Darl is going back to work, likely in a tech policy role at a big tech firm.

Advice for Future Candidates

• Darl advises aspiring candidates to volunteer, start by writing to their MPs about local issues, and get involved in their communities.
• Jeremy advises running a clean campaign, putting ideas out early, volunteering, and being open to criticism.

Notable Quotes

• Jeremy: "Bitcoin is the answer whether or not you like it, I am early but I know I'm right."
• Jeremy: "We all need to do more together."
• Darl: (On why he chose a dog) "Because I know the dog logo will be under the PAP so it will be the underdog."

Technical Terms and Concepts

• Election Deposit: A sum of money required to register as a candidate in an election, forfeited if the candidate does not receive a certain percentage of the vote.
• HDB: Housing Development Board, the public housing authority in Singapore.
• CPF: Central Provident Fund, a mandatory savings scheme for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents primarily for retirement, healthcare, and housing.
• Bitcoin: A decentralized digital currency, proposed by Jeremy as a solution for wealth storage and counterbalancing US interests.
• Electoral Boundaries: The geographical divisions used for elections, which can change from election to election.
• NCMPS: Non-Constituency Members of Parliament, opposition candidates who are offered seats in Parliament even if they did not win their constituency.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The video provides a detailed look into the experiences, motivations, and policy positions of two independent candidates in Singapore's recent general election. It highlights the challenges they faced, the innovative strategies they employed, and their perspectives on key issues such as housing, economic policy, and political representation. Despite not winning seats, both candidates made a significant impact, raising important questions and inspiring others to get involved in the political process. They both express a strong likelihood of running again in the future, contingent on the redrawing of electoral boundaries.