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Merchant ‪Seeks Candidacy‬

Craig MerchantAntigua St. John's - Within a matter of days, two young men have made public their intentions to not only seek a spot on the Antigua and Barbuda labour Party ticket in the general elections of 2014, but to also contest the same constituency.

A few days ago, St. Paul’s resident Gregory Athill indicated  that he was heeding the call of residents in the All Saints East and St. Luke constituency to be a contender in the elections, slated to take place in approximately one year.

However, Athill will now have to contend with Craig Merchant, who has said that after meeting with the Leader of the Opposition Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, the Hon. Gaston Browne, he has declared his intention to be a potential candidate for the All Saints East and St. Luke constituency.

While Merchant has long since been enveloped in the folds of the ABLP, he opted to wait for what he says was the right time to take the plunge into active politics.

He explained, “I wanted to validate the potential of eking out a win in All Saints East and St. Luke. There’s been some straw polls conducted, and I feel very confident about my chances; I would be the better choice for the Antigua Labour Party in the next general election.”



Merchant said that his campaign efforts have already begun as the party gears up for potential candidate selection polls, subsequent to which he hopes to emerge victorious.

As for the platforms on which Merchant intends to base his campaign, he said “I find that over the course of the past decade, that we have moved into a technology-driven workforce...and what I think we need to do is to be able find mechanisms to allure level 2 and level 3 types of employment, as well as outsourcing in other fields such as the clerical and accounting fields.’

The aspiring politician contends that the world is now a global workforce which means a task can be done from anywhere, adding that once there are adequately trained personnel who can go after the contracts, partnerships can take place between the government and private sectors.

While there may be some who will criticize his aspirations and question his motives, the political hopeful for the All Saints East and St. Luke constituency remains undaunted. To the would-be opponents, Merchant says, “It is never enough just to criticize; it is always sufficient to do”.

“I think that the most important thing that we can accomplish in our lives is to actually perform some sort of action that is beneficial to our fellow man.”

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27 Comments In This Article   

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Merchant Seeks Candidacy

#27 Jus Wonderin » 2013-03-19 15:39

Lawrence Merchant...Is that you? IS THAT REALLY YOU!!! Wheel...Wheel.. .Wheel and come again Boss. Maybe you should try and take a dip in the River Jordan before you offer yourself to the people!!!!
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Jus Wonderin

@Lord Have Mercy

#26 Mr Merchant » 2013-03-14 02:25

Feel free to give me a call 1-268-720-1431.

I will make myself fully available to you, so that you can get clear answers to any and all of your questions.

As one blogger said:
Quote:

Come on now how many of you who are critcising actually try to get in touch with any of these persons who want to represent us and engage them in constructive conversation with a view to being part of the solution.
I have taken that bloggers advice and will make myself available to you and anyone else who has any advice / criticism to offer. My aim is to aid in the national recovery of Antigua and Barbuda (which includes: any and all constituencies).

Let the conversation and the ability to get real answers to your questions begin now, in advance of an election.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Bear in mind, I am not perfect (in fact far from it), so expect to speak with a human being capable of making mistakes, and also be prepared to offer guidance as well as criticism.
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Mr Merchant

RE: Merchant ‪Seeks Candidacy‬

#25 Sam » 2013-03-14 01:25

Antigua needs a leader who is forward thinking and who wants to tackle the real issues that are keeping the nation down. Merchant has great ideas to lead the nation forward and I do hope that we will get to see these ideas come to fruition.
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Sam

I find you dynamic, knowledgable and eloquent

#24 Bluddy Bloke » 2013-03-13 22:52

I have listened to you many times on the talk shows. Always wanted to put a face to the voice. I find you dynamic, knowledgable and eloquent. You usually speak of the real issues and speak with great depth. I didnt realize that you were that young. You seem to have the charm and charisma that would make you a great politician. Certainly I would not hesitate to endorse you as a candidate for the ABLP. Yes you are quite impressive! When I listen to you, I certainly learn alot. It is people like you that are needed for the development of our country.
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Bluddy Bloke

Candidate

#23 Andi » 2013-03-13 22:26

Please give Craig your vote, to make a difference with in our young and upcoming world..for integrity and truth always.
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Andi

Owner

#22 DT Philosophy » 2013-03-13 21:10

Leadership is a gift. A GREAT leader must create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and drive it to completion. He must be willing and READY to make decisions, take action, support teamwork while paying attention to the finest details to make a difference, all while being disciplined. He must possess the qualities of a extraordinary leader including: integrity, dedication, fairness, openness, humility and being assertive...Cra ig Merchant is all of this, the finest qualities, a man that will take action to benefit our fellow man. No need to question his motives or criticize his aspiration. Leadership is a gift and Craig Merchant ha**!
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DT Philosophy

Lord Have Mercy

#21 Hopeful » 2013-03-13 20:20

It is understandable why a number of persons would be quite skeptical of anyone who aspires to hold political office, since those in the past have let the people down tremendously, but we must be mindful that there is ONE Antigua and Barbuda and we must band together to rescue a nation without seeking to tear each other down, I am hopeful this young man is just the person we need to take Antigua and Barbuda forward, he appears to be down to earth and approachable so I am I sure he welcomes your criticisms and would perhaps entertain discussions on issues to aid the nation at large. I am of the view that he doesn’t appear to have the desire to be another "POLITICIAN" but to be a REPRESENTATIVE. I believe that the quality of representation the people of this nation get should be from persons who can view things from a national perspective and who are willing to do all that is required to improve the life of lot of ALL ANTIGUANS. Come on now how many of you who are critcising actually try to get in touch with any of these persons who want to represent us and engage them in constructive conversation with a view to being part of the solution.
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Hopeful

RE: Merchant ‪Seeks Candidacy‬

#20 Hmmmm » 2013-03-13 19:36

We heard the same nonsense from michael freeland until teamdalso exposed him as a xxxx. Craig, what do you really bring to the table? Just before elections you both jump into the ring. We don't know you. Never seen you. ALP joking to be going down this road. Really shows some weak leadership coming from gaston Browne
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Hmmmm

Great Minds Discuss Ideas

#19 SEED » 2013-03-13 16:16

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them....
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SEED

@ MR MERCHANT

#18 Lord Have Mercy » 2013-03-13 15:03

The bloggers that appear to be supporting you ALL seem to speak the same language ... you are obviously amitious and want to appear to be well'liked and accepted by th people, but you are a little too obvious ... tone it down or people will realize that your support is from multiple springs of a single source.

You ernestly told the people of City East that you truly wanted to represent them and now you are prepared to say the same thing to the people of All Saints East and St Luke. What is your relationship to any of these constituency that allows you to IDENTIFY with them?

Did you jut go to Gaston and tell him that I WANNA BE DOWN WITH YOU, JUST FIT ME IN SOMEWHERE?

Yor jumping from one constituency to another shows that you do not care who you represent you just want to be a POLITICIAN ... you want what they have, POWER, AUTHORITY & OPPORTUNITY TO ABUSE THE PEOPLE.
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Lord Have Mercy

a world of technology

#17 strong supporter » 2013-03-13 13:06

This is the 21st century and a technological era we're in so Mr Merchant has a clear vision for the future which is based on a strong technology driven workforce and he will be able to keep our naton's work force updated with technology which is important and the nations youths will feel that they will be able to make a contribution because the youths of today are so technology driven. I strongly support his candidacy for All Saints E. and St Luke's
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strong supporter

A man that speaks his mind not beating around the bush

#16 Dorian Undercover » 2013-03-13 12:17

I will ofer my full support to Mr. Merchant,for he is a man that is not afraid to bring issues to the people,that is what we are looking for up front leaders who cares for people and speak the truth
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Dorian Undercover

Great Minds Discuss Ideas

#15 SEED » 2013-03-13 12:10

:roll: I hope you are more than just words.... we antiugan need someone to understand that there is need for a change >.< we are tired of everyone saying the same thing I support you and your forthcoming ideas. You have my VOTE!!!!
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SEED

RE: Merchant ‪Seeks Candidacy‬

#14 Village Boi » 2013-03-13 10:35

Now i salute him for throwing his hat into the race. But my question is WHERE HAVE U BEEN ALL THIS TIME? Now election is a year away u are seeing all this persons wanting to throw their hats into the ring.

Next question, WHAT HAVE U DONT FOR THE ALL SAINTS AND ST LUKE OVER THE PAST YEARS?

All that i am hearing is " IF I AM ELECTED I WILL DO THIS AND THAT!" I call it all TALK AND NO ACTION. We need ppl that have a performance track record, in doing things in their villages etc

One of the bloggers say he is full of ideas........my fellow blogger we r all full of idea......the thing is how do we take those ideas and make them reality.

Mr Merchant I wish u and all the new faces the best and hope and pray u guys will do good for our nation
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Village Boi

Positive

#13 Positive » 2013-03-13 10:26

Mi amigo ...Positive move....
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Positive

finally

#12 #1 ALPSupporter » 2013-03-13 10:07

Finally we have a good candidate, the right one the only one and he will be the peoples choice in the poll which will start March 18th 2013. Look out for the pollster could be making a stop by you. Make sure to support Merchant this is the man to get the job done.
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#1 ALPSupporter

@ Merchant

#11 Miego Man » 2013-03-13 09:53

How many of them comments you write?
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Miego Man

RE: Merchant ‪Seeks Candidacy‬

#10 JAF » 2013-03-13 09:12

To succeed in politics, it is often necessary to rise above the average principles by setting higher standards. The same can be ascribed to Craig Merchant; a man of youth, vision, and charisma. All Saint East and St. Luke has a current MP who was placed there initially not to represent, care, or even look after the constituency... he was placed there to fill a void left by the late Charlesworth Samuel. Craig, I wish you the best of luck and I know once you keep up the good work, you'll be victorious!
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JAF

Excellent Candidate

#9 Dee-Ann » 2013-03-13 09:04

Dynamic personality as well as a very knowledgeable and resourceful individual. Craig is full of ideas to move the country forward which is what our nation needs. He is an excellent candidate
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Dee-Ann

Good Man

#8 SHAFT » 2013-03-13 08:45

Craig Merchant is a good man for the The People. He has a clear vision for the future which is based on his past experience in the business and technology world. This is the future of growth in our economy. We need more like minds.
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SHAFT

I'm running too

#7 JP Farnsworth » 2013-03-13 08:39

I've said it many times I'm running too! Bring ya pencils and write my name on the ballot. :-)
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JP Farnsworth

Time for something new

#6 Leslie » 2013-03-13 08:33

You will have my vote in all saints it is good your party come with somebody new.

If you have a real plan to get jobs in this island help us now
you get my vote.
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Leslie

MEDIA SHORTCOMMINGS

#5 Professor » 2013-03-13 08:18

Caribarena and the other media houses on the island owe the People of Antigua and barbuda a JOURNALISTIC DUTY OF CARE that I find is not been taken sufficiently seriously, and the senior editors of these organizations are the ones to blame.

I find an appalling failure of JOURNALISTIC INTEGRITY in these articles reporting pesons seeking to become political candidates, where the journalist are unale to report anything subsantial about theses persons exept a self-serving soundbite. At a very minimum journalists must prevail upon them to divulge their positions on the issues, plans for the future of the nation, as well as work experience and educational background.

Likewise, politicians are interviewed on a aregular basis without being forced suppor what they are saying with FACTS and FIGURES. It is as if certain politicians just send a memo to the local media that says "EDITED PRINT VERSION".

Similarly,
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Professor

Supporting

#4 Young Voter » 2013-03-13 08:17

I support your candidacy you make sense on the talk shows that I have heard and you seem to be very approachable it is time that some people who put antigua first get involved in politics.
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Young Voter

All Saints East and St. Luke constituency

#3 LeeAnn » 2013-03-13 08:01

What happened to Owen George? come on!
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LeeAnn

RE: Merchant ‪Seeks Candidacy‬

#2 john thomas » 2013-03-13 07:25

Another waste of time
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john thomas

good idea wrong party

#1 tin a beef » 2013-03-13 07:02

why not run independent.... .......as a former classmate you would have my vote had it been you were on the independent .....think your too good for either party
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tin a beef

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