Shouldn't it be "will" instead of "would"?

[Tan Elaine]

Announcing her candidacy at a National Day dinner for the Marsiling-Yew Tee Group Representation Constituency on Sunday (Aug 6), she said: "I have served a period of 40 years in public service...Taking part in the Presidential election would allow me to continue with my service to the people of Singapore, including Marsiling residents, although in a different capacity.

"I recognise that the position of the Elected President has a tremendous capacity to do good for all Singaporeans and for Singapore. Hence I wish to inform you that I will be contesting in the coming Presidential election."

The above is from our local news channel.

Shouldn't it be "will" instead of "would"?

Thanks.

 

[tedmc]

"Will" implies certainty - she was sure of winning the election.

 

[GoesStation]

If she has announced she is definitely taking part in the election then will is the right word.

 

[tedmc]

If she has announced she is definitely taking part in the election then will is the right word.

I think she would get to continue serving the people only if she was elected. That was why she said "would" (not definite). Merely taking part in the election would not allow her to do that.

 

[Raymott]

I think she would get to continue serving the people only if she was elected. That was why she said "would" (not definite). Merely taking part in the election would not allow her to do that.

I don't think that's a possible reading. If she had to win the election, she wouldn't be saying that taking part in the election would/will allow her to continue to serve the people. Whether she meant that or not, it's what she said.

I think she used 'would' because she hadn't yet made the actual declaration that she was going to run. That comes after: (Hence I wish to inform you...). She's outlining her thought processes. "Running for the election would allow me to help you; hence I'm going to do it."

If she had started her speech with "I am announcing my candidacy" then it would be appropriate to go on - "This will allow we to continue to help ..."

 

[tedmc]

I don't think that's a possible reading. If she had to win the election, she wouldn't be saying that taking part in the election would/will allow her to continue to serve the people. Whether she meant that or not, it's what she said.

I think she used 'would' because she hadn't yet made the actual declaration that she was going to run. That comes after: (Hence I wish to inform you...). She's outlining her thought processes. "Running for the election would allow me to help you; hence I'm going to do it."

If she had started her speech with "I am announcing my candidacy" then it would be appropriate to go on - "This will allow we to continue to help ..."

That was what she did at the start of the paragraph.

 

[Raymott]

That was what she did at the start of the paragraph.

No she didn't. The reporter said that, before quoting what the candidate said. At the end of the reported speech, the candidate said, "Hence I wish to inform you that I will be contesting in the coming Presidential election." She made the announcement at the end of the speech.
It was only after she had made the announcement that the reporter wrote the introduction and the news report - which is not the woman's announcement. That's the publication of her announcement.