Winning a constituency would help PSP attract young talent: Hazel Poa

The party's GE2025 new faces have stood out for being older than those in PAP, WP

- Chin Hui Shan

Among the political aspirants that have been introduced to voters ahead of the May 3 General Election, those from the opposition PSP stand out for being older than those in the PAP and WP.

Just one new potential Progress Singapore Party candidate is under 40 years old.

PSP vice-chairperson Hazel Poa said the party has trouble finding young blood to stand as its candidates.

"Facts are facts. We have been trying to reach out to younger voters and also to recruit younger candidates, but the problem that we have been facing is that they're usually more hesitant," said Ms Poa.

"A lot of them actually worry about their career prospects if they are seen to be opposition candidates."

Winning a constituency in the upcoming election would help the party overcome this hurdle and persuade more to become candidates in future, she said.

Ms Poa was speaking on The Straits Times' current affairs podcast The Usual Place on April 22, during which she was asked what the party was doing to shake off its image that it was composed of mostly older members.

The discussion with ST correspondent and podcast host Natasha Ann Zachariah also featured Ms Poa's husband, potential PSP candidate Tony Tan, who is likely to run in Kebun Baru SMC.

The PSP's only candidate under the age of 40 is Ms Stephanie Tan, a 37-year-old homemaker with a law degree who will likely be contesting Pioneer SMC.