Akash Samaroo
The United Patriots will not be challenging the results of the UNC internal elections and instead expressed their willingness to work with the newly elected national executive.
"Despite the numerous irregularities encountered, we accept the results and the will of the membership of the party," Rushton Paray said at a news conference this morning.
He stressed that he and with the other members of parliament on his slate and those who questioned the leadership of Kamla Persad-Bissessar, will remain loyal to the party amidst concerns that defeat could lead to their exodus.
"The members of parliament who contested the election on our slate as well as the MP for Chaguanas West and the MP for Naparima commit to continuing to hold the failed and incompetent PNM government to account," he added.
However, Paray did question what he inferred was a low voter turnout. Preliminary results revealed around 17 thousand UNC members cast their vote on Saturday.
"If you said that there are 17 thousand people that came out to vote which is a high voter turnout, what about the other 100 thousand voters that did not see the importance of coming out and casting their vote?" he questioned.
Guardian Media then asked Paray if the resounding victory for Kamla Persad-Bissessar's Star Team put to rest the belief that UNC members want a change in leadership.
"Well, if 100 thousand persons that sit on our membership list did not come out to vote I don't think that's a validation of anything," he answered.
Paray was asked if he would contest the position of political leader when it becomes available in 2025.
"Anything can happen. Listen the party constitution allows that any member who feels they are well tooled and well oiled to offer themselves for national service at the highest level, the party gives you that opportunity and any member is free to do so," he said.