GE2025: Independent candidate Jeremy Tan on why he’s campaigning at Mountbatten SMC

Key Concepts:

• Walkover in Marine Parade GRC
• Independent candidacy for Mountbatten SMC
• Town council management and improvement
• Community building in Mountbatten
• Income and asset gap in Mountbatten

1. Decision Not to Contest Marine Parade & Initial Intentions:

• The speaker expresses disappointment that Marine Parade GRC, his constituency, was uncontested in the election.
• He had previously indicated to Mr. Pritam Singh (presumably of the Workers' Party) his intention to run as an independent candidate.
• Mr. Singh, however, discouraged him, believing he wouldn't follow through, a decision the speaker respects.
• The speaker felt residents of Marine Parade were not given early notice of the uncontested status until nomination day.

2. Independent Candidacy for Mountbatten SMC:

• The speaker decided to run as an independent candidate for Mountbatten SMC to avoid two walkovers (Marine Parade and Mountbatten).
• He met with Ms. Mariam Jaafar (presumably the PAP candidate for Mountbatten) at the nomination center.
• They agreed to collaborate regardless of the election outcome, given the interconnectedness of the town councils.

3. Town Council Management & Improvement:

• As a potential full-time independent MP, the speaker would need to review existing contracts affecting both town councils.
• His goal is to maintain and improve the standards of the town council in Mountbatten.
• He aims to meet or exceed the existing standards, acknowledging the high expectations of Mountbatten residents.

4. Campaign & Resident Interactions:

• Resident interactions have been positive, with people valuing availability and contactability in a candidate.
• He has engaged with residents through house visits, calls, and video calls.
• He has garnered over 40 volunteers for his campaign.

5. Community Building & Addressing Inequality:

• The speaker identifies the income and asset gap in Mountbatten as a significant challenge.
• 73% of residents live in private property, while some live in 10-story flats.
• His goal is to build a conducive community where residents do not judge each other based on wealth.

6. Entrepreneurial Skills & Real-World Challenges:

• The speaker believes his experience as an entrepreneur who bootstrapped his businesses will be valuable in addressing the challenges in Mountbatten.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The speaker's decision to run as an independent candidate in Mountbatten SMC stems from a desire to provide residents with a choice and to improve the town council's management. He emphasizes community building and addressing the wealth disparity in the constituency, leveraging his entrepreneurial background to tackle these challenges. His campaign focuses on accessibility and direct engagement with residents.