United Patriots want a ‘healthier’ UNC | Local News | trinidadexpress.com

CANDIDATES with the United Patriots slate for the Opposition’s upcoming internal election have said they seek a “healthier party”, which will benefit this country as democracy is “under attack”.

Led by Mayaro MP Rushton Paray, the team is vying for executive positions within the United National Congress (UNC) on June 15. Paray, who is aiming for the post of deputy political leader, and at last Saturday’s launch stated that he “couldn’t be faulted” for seeking improvement in the Opposition.

Candidates including Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes-Alleyne and attorneys Kiel Taklasingh and Larry Lalla have insisted that their campaign targets the People’s National Movement (PNM) and not colleagues within the UNC. Paray launched his slate at Signature Hall in Longdenville last Saturday nightunder several slogans, including “A stronger UNC is a stronger T&T”, with Paray thanking those UNC colleagues present for their support. Paray on Saturday and up to yesterday declined to comment on a lengthy letter issued just before his event by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who called him a “mischief-maker”.

The MP stated at the launch that “there is no way anyone can fault me for wanting to make the party better, no reasonable way, that anyone can say, ‘Paray you are wrong’.”

He said there was nothing wrong with wanting to take the party into government in 2025, later stating that the Patriots remained committed to the party.

Paray said there were often “harsh words” exchanged in politics, however, “I do not respond to harsh words, adding that “sometimes good people say harsh words”.

He said the launch marked an “historic day” for T&T and the party, as he forecast victory for the UNC in the next general election.

Paray said the internal election represented a victory for the people and that every party member should have the right of expression through the internal election.

Paray had also then raised an issue that the party’s constitution was being violated and that an internal election was due.

United Patriots Slate of Candidates:

Deputy Political Leader—MP Rushton Paray

Deputy Political Leader—MP Anita Haynes-Alleyne

Deputy Political Leader—MP Dr Rai Ragbir

Chairman—Larry Lalla SC

Deputy Chair—Germaine Abdulla (UNC Stalwart)

Treasurer—Curtis Manchoon

Policy & Strategy Officer—Kiel Taklalsingh (Attorney at Law)

Elections Officer—William Archie (UNC Stalwart)

Education Officer—Shanta Devi Seepersad (Youth Parliamentarian / Compass Foundation)

Research Officer—Jason Ali (Siparia West Fyzabad)