Jeremy Tan and Darryl Lo vow continued political involvement as independents gain ground
Independent candidates Jeremy Tan and Darryl Lo, who contested the 3 May 2025 General Election, have pledged to remain active in political discourse and community engagement despite not winning their respective races in Mountbatten and Radin Mas.
Tan, 34, garnered 36.16 per cent of the vote in Mountbatten against PAP newcomer Gho Sze Kee.
This marked the highest vote share for an independent candidate since 1972.
Lo, 28, achieved 23.47 per cent in Radin Mas, outperforming seasoned opposition candidate. Kumar Appavoo of the People's Alliance for Reform, who polled 7.36 per cent.
Though neither candidate secured a parliamentary seat, both said they were encouraged by their results and planned to continue their advocacy through online platforms and grassroots engagement.
Speaking to The Straits Times on 5 May, Tan said he has not ruled out participating in the next general election.
Lo, meanwhile, was more reserved, stating that he was uncertain about his future in politics.
Tan, who has 20,800 followers on Instagram and runs the website jeremytan.sg, said he would use these channels to raise awareness of issues that received positive voter feedback. These include autism, pets on public transport, and the impact of international trade policies on Singapore.
He also plans to focus on municipal concerns in Mountbatten and Marine Parade, such as supporting low-income families. Tan revealed he is in discussions with opposition parties that are regrouping post-election to explore future collaboration.
Lo, who has 6,400 Instagram followers, has no personal website and relied heavily on walkabouts during his campaign. His face-to-face approach allowed him to focus on hyperlocal issues in Radin Mas, such as cleanliness in Bukit Purmei and the proposal for a community dog run.
He expressed satisfaction in reducing the PAP's vote share in Radin Mas, noting that Melvin Yong's support dropped from 74.01 per cent in 2020 to 69.17 per cent in 2025. Lo said this outcome demonstrated that residents were open to new and credible alternatives, even without party backing.
Both candidates spent significant personal funds on their campaigns—approximately S$17,000 by Tan and S$12,000 by Lo.
Their campaign messages, which observers found clearer than those of some political parties, focused on policy specifics rather than party branding.
While the clarity and coherence of their messaging contributed to their stronger-than-expected results, the independent label remains a key challenge.
The lack of an organisational image behind independent candidates continues to be a barrier. The perceived absence of support structures, such as those needed to manage a town council, could undermine public confidence—even if the reality is that many small parties are fronted by just a handful of individuals.
Tan's campaign included unconventional policy positions, such as ending the use of Housing Board flats as retirement assets and advocating for Bitcoin integration into Singapore's financial system. Lo pushed for stricter drink driving penalties and expanded HDB eligibility for singles over 21.
Observers said that, given their results, both candidates represent a growing shift in how political alternatives are being presented in Singapore.
Compared to past elections, where independents received marginal support—such as Cheang Peng Wah's 2.78 per cent in 2020 and Samir Salim Neji's 0.6 per cent in 2015—Tan and Lo's showings were a marked improvement.
Despite their individual approaches—Tan through digital outreach and platform-building, Lo through ground campaigning and community presence—both are seen as part of a broader evolution in Singapore's political landscape.
As public awareness of local and national policy issues grows, independents who articulate focused, relatable messages may gain further traction, especially if voters begin to look past traditional assumptions about party infrastructure.
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