Social media personality Patrick King has announced he will be contesting the seat in the City of Bridgetown as an Independent candidate in the next General Election.
He made the announcement on his social media platforms on Tuesday evening, informing his followers of his intention to run in the election constitutionally due in 2027.
King told the DAILY NATION that many people had asked him to contest the seat currently held by Corey Lane.
“I’ve been living in Bridgetown for the last 23 years. I have a very good relationship with a number of individuals within The City,” he said, recalling that back in 2021, he also announced his intention to run.
However, he said at that time he was on an overseas assignment and had to step back.
“Since then, I have been bombarded by a number of individuals in The City who keep asking me all the time to come forward, that they are prepared to support me should I offer myself.
“I do not wish to align myself with any of the two major political parties. I am not sufficiently convinced that these two political parties are doing what is necessary to uplift the people in this country. I am on record as saying that there’s six of one and there’s half a dozen in the next, and for this reason I will not align myself with them. I believe I can make a difference from this vantage point.”
King added: “The unfortunate thing is that under the current system of Government, the Prime Minister is
the one who has the power [to call an election].”
He said he had access to information on two polls which were conducted, which “were not in favour of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) at all . . . and the Government is now in corrective mode trying to correct a number of things before they go to the polls”.
In his statement, King said he had thought “long and hard over the past few weeks about it. I have also prayed relentlessly because I want to be absolutely clear in my mind that I’m making the right decision”.
He revealed that he was once a member of the Democratic Labour Party and canvassed successfully with the late Dr Denis Lowe before becoming a member of the BLP, canvassing for current Member of Parliament for Christ Church East Wilfred Abrahams.
“Barbadians, my common sense tells me that if I can canvass for others and assist them in walking the steps of the House of Assembly, I can do the same for myself,” King stated, adding that he will use his social media platforms to reach out to constituents as “Patrick King is by now a household name”. (MB)
