Independent candidate Jeremy Tan says he prevented walkover at Mountbatten SMC

Mountbatten SMC independent candidate Jeremy Tan has shared his views regarding the walkover that occurred at Marine Parade-Bradell Heights GRC this 2025 general election.

This was after the Workers' Party (WP) did not field a team of five candidates to compete there against the People's Action Party (PAP).

Prevented Mountbatten SMC walkover

In a TikTok on Apr. 23, after Nomination Day proceedings had concluded, Tan said in a piece to the camera: "I was disappointed to know in the nomination centre itself, looking at the PAP candidates, that there will be no competition."

He was at Kong Hwa School.

@jeremytan.sg My thoughts on walkovers. #ge2025 #marineparade ♬ original sound - Jeremy Tan

"This is not saying that PAP candidates have proven or not proven themselves, but I think in the spirit of democracy, because Singapore is so small, every constituency should be contested no matter how big or how small," he added.

Was chastised for standing for election

Tan's views were in response to feedback he said he got for standing as an independent candidate.

"How did it affect me? I actually got chastised for quite a bit for not joining a party and not being considered as a serious independent and candidate," Tan explained.

Told WP about his intentions

To provide background, Tan said he had told WP chief Pritam Singh in 2024 about his intention to be an independent candidate in Mountbatten SMC.

"In fact, I had actually gone for a Workers' Party volunteer session some time last year," Tan explained.

At that time, Tan said he had the intention to join WP.

Tan added: "I said, 'I'm here at the volunteer session to see if I could change my mind'."

Tan, in his recounting of the incident, said Singh apparently told him: "Nobody will change your mind."

Would have been another walkover

Tan said he respected that as Singh's explanation was that the WP cannot have individuals volunteer with the party and go off and do their own thing subsequently.

Tan said in the TikTok: "If I had not contested in Mountbatten, we will have two constituencies, that I love so deeply and I live in, experience a walkover."

"And I don't think that is good for Singaporeans," he said.

"I don't see why we could not have more communication. Because it does seem like for a long time, the Workers' Party did not reject the notion and the idea of contesting in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights," he also said.

Tan said he lives 500m away from Mountbatten SMC in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.

Jeremy Tan's background

Tan, a former business owner who is now retired, has been campaigning in Mountbatten after it was announced that GE2025 Polling Day will fall on May 3.

His unique campaign pitches include providing direct lines of communication to him via Telegram and Instagram, responding to online feedback and engaging with commenters, as well as pledging to be a full-time MP should he succeed in winning a seat in parliament.

He is facing Gho Sze Kee from PAP.

He has also made his website of policy ideas a centrepiece of his campaign, where he has discussed the implications of high Singapore public property prices making it more difficult for people to retire more comfortably.

Top photos via Jeremy Tan TikTok & Mothership