PSP's Stephanie Tan on making the leap from homemaker to the political stage | Deep Dive podcast

Key Concepts

• Stephanie Tan: Progress Singapore Party (PSP) candidate for Pioneer Single Member Constituency (SMC), 37 years old, former lawyer, stay-at-home mother of two for 9 years.
• Progress Singapore Party (PSP): Opposition political party in Singapore. Stephanie joined in 2023.
• Pioneer Single Member Constituency (SMC): The electoral division Stephanie Tan is contesting.
• Stay-at-Home Mom (SAHM) Experience: A significant part of Stephanie's recent background, which she argues provides transferable skills for connecting with residents.
• Legal Background: Experience as a lawyer (Rajah & Tan, Ministry of Law, Ministry of Defence) cited as relevant for parliamentary work (reviewing bills, debates).
• Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP): A type of MP seat offered to the best-performing losing opposition candidates. Stephanie was impressed by the performance of PSP's two NCMPs.
• Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE): National examination taken by Singaporean students around age 12. Stephanie expresses concerns about its impact on mental health.
• Dr. Tan Cheng Bock: Founder of PSP, cited as an influence on Stephanie's decision to join the party due to his perceived courage and independent thinking.
• Transferable Skills: The concept that skills learned in one role (e.g., law, motherhood) can be applied effectively in another (e.g., being an MP).
• Opposition Party Challenges: Issues like limited financial resources and manpower constraints faced during campaigning.

Introduction of Candidate

Stephanie Tan, 37, is introduced as a Progress Singapore Party (PSP) candidate contesting the Pioneer Single Member Constituency (SMC) in the upcoming Singapore general elections. She is a mother of two daughters and a former lawyer. She describes herself using three words: "simple," "cautious," and "easygoing." She elaborates on "simple" meaning she doesn't overthink things (except regarding her children) and is spontaneous rather than having rigid long-term plans.

Personal Background and Career Transition

• Education and Early Career: Stephanie attended Raffles Girls' School (RGS), Raffles Junior College (RJC), and studied Law at the National University of Singapore (NUS). She practiced law at Rajah & Tan, a top Singaporean firm, and later worked in the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Defence.
• Transition to Stay-at-Home Mother (SAHM): After several years of working, Stephanie decided to become a SAHM, a role she held for nine years (seven years by the time she joined PSP in 2023).
• Rationale for Transition: She felt her "purpose" at that time was to be with her children, believing they needed her more. She wanted to be present for their milestones. This decision was made despite facing skepticism from others (including her mother) who felt she might be "wasting" her education and training. Financial adjustments were also necessary as her husband had recently taken a pay cut, making them a single-income family.
• Fulfillment as a SAHM: Stephanie found fulfillment in building a close, friend-like relationship with her daughters, leveraging the extra time available as a SAHM. She notes her inherent love for children made the choice easier for her.

Decision to Enter Politics and Join PSP

• Trigger: The decision to enter politics stemmed from writing a CV and personal statement after seven years as a SAHM. She realized her written values aligned more with volunteering than returning to her previous career path.
• Choosing PSP: Stephanie chose PSP after watching parliamentary debates on YouTube. She was impressed by the diligence and activity of PSP's two NCMPs, noting they asked "possibly controversial but very important questions" that resonated with her own thoughts. She found their presence "refreshing."
• Influence of Dr. Tan Cheng Bock: Dr. Tan's reputation for courage and "independent thinking," particularly his history of speaking up even within the PAP, was a significant factor in her decision to join PSP. She values the ability to form viewpoints based on independent research.

Addressing Criticisms and Transferable Skills

Stephanie addresses potential questions about how her experience as a SAHM translates to being an effective MP for Pioneer SMC.

• Parliamentary Role: Her background as a lawyer and involvement in legal policy work provides the necessary skills to review bills and participate effectively in parliamentary debates.
• Constituency Role: Her experience as a full-time mother and caregiver has taught her "how to take care of people." She relates listening to her children's problems and empathizing with them ("I cry with them") to her ability to connect with residents, understand their difficulties, and build relationships. She emphasizes her preference for one-on-one conversations and having a "genuine concern about people."

Views on Education (PSLE)

• Critique of PSLE: Despite her own academic background and her older daughter being in the Gifted Education Programme, Stephanie is "not exactly a fan" of the PSLE. She believes learning extends beyond exams and standardized curricula, which she sees as "artificially set up."
• Mental Health Concerns: Her primary objection stems from concerns about the "mental health issue" associated with the PSLE. She believes the high levels of stress placed on children aged 10-12 preparing for the exam are unsuitable and negatively impact the entire family. She states, "I do not think that it is necessary."
• Goal if Elected: If elected, she aims to address issues surrounding the PSLE system.

Political Philosophy and Influences

• Why Not the PAP: Stephanie expresses doubts about the effectiveness of trying to "change things from within" the ruling party. Crucially, she feels unable to join a party whose "values vibes" do not align with her own. She believes opposition MPs are necessary and can make a difference.
• Dr. Tan Cheng Bock's Advice: She shares that Dr. Tan consistently advises PSP members "never to give up and to just continue even when the going gets tough," acknowledging the difficulties of being an opposition politician in Singapore.

Family Life and Political Commitment

• Informing Her Children: Stephanie didn't have a formal discussion with her children about becoming a candidate. However, they were already aware of her involvement with PSP over the previous two years, seeing her do research and editing speeches. They understand when she goes out for "PSP work." She currently avoids bringing them on walkabouts.
• Husband's Support: Her husband is described as "very supportive." He took leave for the entire campaign period to manage childcare responsibilities (school pickups, meals, activities). Stephanie states, "if not for that I won't be able to do this." They acknowledge they might need to hire domestic help if she wins the election, as they currently do not have a helper.

Campaign Challenges and Approach

• Resource Constraints: Stephanie highlights the "real issues" faced by opposition parties regarding resources, specifically "financial resources" and "manpower." Mobilizing enough volunteers, who often need to take leave from work, is a significant challenge.
• Campaign Strategy: Her approach focuses on "doing my best with whatever resources that we have." She aims to be herself, engage residents directly through conversations, explain her and PSP's stance, and ask for their support. She tries not to dwell on the odds of success or her opponent's profile.
• Teamwork and Gratitude: She emphasizes the importance of teamwork in an election campaign ("you can't do this yourself") and expresses deep gratitude for volunteers, making a point to care for their welfare and thank them.
• Personal Impact: While not overly worried about winning or losing, the operational challenges, particularly manpower issues, cause her stress, sometimes waking her up at night.

Aspirations if Elected

• For Pioneer Residents: She hopes to serve the residents effectively, acting as their "friend," helping resolve their issues, and building a strong, long-term relationship over the potential five-year term.
• National Level: In Parliament, she aims to raise important issues, whether they originate directly from Pioneer residents or are broader national concerns affecting all Singaporeans.

Conclusion/Synthesis

Stephanie Tan presents herself as a candidate motivated by purpose and values, transitioning from a legal career to full-time motherhood, and now to politics with the PSP. She argues her diverse experiences equip her for both the legislative aspects of being an MP (drawing on her legal background) and the community-focused aspects (drawing on her caregiving experience). Key motivations include dissatisfaction with aspects of the status quo (like the PSLE's impact) and admiration for PSP's perceived diligence and Dr. Tan Cheng Bock's principles. While acknowledging the significant resource challenges faced by opposition parties, her campaign strategy emphasizes personal connection and teamwork, heavily reliant on volunteer support and her family's backing. If elected, she aims to be a dedicated representative for Pioneer residents while also contributing to national discourse in Parliament.