Stephanie Tan
Stephanie Tan 陈芬妮 | |
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| Alma mater | National University of Singapore (NUS) |
Stephanie Tan (Chinese: 陈芬妮) is a Singaporean lawyer, former public servant, homemaker and politician. She is best known for contesting Pioneer Single Member Constituency (SMC) as the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) candidate during Singapore's 2025 General Election, before leaving the party in July 2026 over what she described as "differences in opinion" regarding its direction.[1][2]
Prior to entering politics, Tan built a legal career spanning private practice and the Singapore public service, including appointments at Rajah & Tann LLP, the Ministry of Law, and the Ministry of Defence. She later left full-time employment to become a caregiver to her two children before joining PSP as a volunteer in 2023.[3][4]
Early life and education
Stephanie Tan received her early education at Raffles Girls' School (Secondary) and Raffles Junior College before reading Law at the National University of Singapore (NUS). She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and was admitted to the Singapore Bar in 2011.[4][5]
During her election campaign, Tan described her education as shaping her belief that Singapore's education system should help children become independent, confident and happy individuals while allowing them to develop their own strengths and interests.[4]
Legal career
Following her admission to the Bar, Tan began her legal career as a Legal Associate in the Business, Finance & Insolvency Practice at Rajah & Tann LLP, one of Singapore's largest law firms.[4][6]
She later joined the Ministry of Law as an Assistant Director in the Legal Policy Division before moving to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), where she served as Legal Counsel. Her work covered legal policy and advisory matters within the Singapore public service.[4][6]
In 2016, Tan left her legal career to become a full-time caregiver for her two young children, a decision she has described as one of the most meaningful chapters of her life.[3][4]
Political career
Joining the Progress Singapore Party
Tan joined the Progress Singapore Party as a volunteer in August 2023, saying she wanted to contribute to "greater vibrancy and discussions on important issues which matter to Singaporeans".[1]
Within the party, she was involved in policy development, grassroots activities, parliamentary research and editing The Palm, PSP's party publication. She also served as a policy assistant to secretary-general Leong Mun Wai, contributing to policy proposals that were later debated in Parliament.[1][4]
2025 General Election
On 20 April 2025, PSP introduced Tan as its candidate for Pioneer SMC, marking her political debut. At 37 years old, she was among the party's younger candidates and campaigned on issues including affordability, education, healthcare and government accountability.[6]
Throughout the campaign, Tan emphasised concerns over the rising cost of living, housing affordability and the need for stronger political checks and balances. She also represented PSP in a nationally televised election roundtable discussion, increasing her public profile during the campaign.[2]
At the election held on 3 May 2025, Tan received 34.58% of the vote against People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Patrick Tay, who retained Pioneer SMC. Although unsuccessful, Tan recorded PSP's strongest performance among the four single-member constituencies contested by the party.[1][2]
Appointment to the Central Executive Committee
Following the election, Tan was co-opted into PSP's Central Executive Committee (CEC) during the party's leadership renewal exercise in July 2025.
She said at the time that she hoped to represent younger Singaporeans within the party and contribute to shaping its long-term direction. She also viewed the leadership renewal as an opportunity for PSP to modernise its image following its disappointing election results.[1][2]
Departure from PSP
On 6 July 2026, Tan announced that she had resigned from PSP after nearly three years with the party.[7]
In a statement published on Facebook and Instagram, she described her political journey as "fulfilling" but said she would be leaving because of "differences in opinion in the direction of the party." She added that while she remained committed to contributing to Singapore, it would "no longer be through PSP".[1][2]
Tan thanked party founder Dr Tan Cheng Bock, party members, volunteers and residents whom she had met during her political journey. She also said she intended to take time to evaluate her next steps while remaining true to the purpose that had first motivated her to enter politics.[1][2]
PSP subsequently confirmed her departure and thanked her for her contributions to the party, noting that she had played a role in developing policy proposals and supporting parliamentary work.[2]
References/Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Wu, Xueting. "Stephanie Tan leaves PSP due to 'differences in opinion' on party direction",. Mothership. July 7, 2026. Accessed 9 July 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Devaraj, Samuel. "GE2025 candidate Stephanie Tan leaves Progress Singapore Party; People's Power Party changes leaders". The Straits Times. July 6, 2026. Accessed 9 July 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Nazren, Fasiha. "GE2025: PSP's new face Stephanie Tan to contest Pioneer SMC". Mothership. April 20, 2025. Accessed 9 July 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Progress Singapore Party. "Stephanie Tan 陈芬妮". Progress Singapore Party. n.d. Accessed 9 July 2026.
- ↑ Progress Singapore Party. "Our candidate for Pioneer SMC! Stephanie had her early education...". Facebook. April 19, 2025. Accessed 9 July 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 CNA. "GE2025: PSP to field new face Stephanie Tan in Pioneer SMC". YouTube. April 2025. Accessed 9 July 2026.
- ↑ Oh, Ethan. "Stephanie Tan leaves PSP over disagreements in party direction, thanks Tan Cheng Bock for understanding". MustShare News. July 8, 2026. Accessed 9 July 2026.