MAYARO MP Rushton Paray said yesterday he wished to continue serving the people and was not prepared to leave the United National Congress (UNC), even if he is not selected to return as a candidate for his constituency in the 2025 general election.
Paray yesterday evening went before the UNC screening committee at the UNC headquarters in Chaguanas as the party continued its selection of candidates.
Also screening for the Mayaro constituency was former UNC executive member Nicholas Morris. Paray had nothing but best wishes for Morris, whom he said was also interested in serving the people.
The incumbent Mayaro MP vowed to bring a “gold standard” of service to the people and said he has a track record for delivering.
Paray, a businessman, said whether he emerges as the UNC’s candidate for Mayaro or not, he will continue to participate in community development in his area.
He said the UNC was the party to which he had subscribed and his focus remained on changing lives in Trinidad and Tobago.
Paray said he would not join another political party, saying that he felt he had work to be done within the UNC.
Paray said he was looking to ensure that the UNC got into office and wanted to continue the work that he started. He called on people to vote and said he was offering himself to continue his work.
Also speaking at the UNC headquarters yesterday , Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the party has seen a “surge” of support and many are expressing interest in working with the party in the setting up of a government.
Persad-Bissessar said that a UNC government would prioritise national security, healthcare and employment.
The Opposition Leader also said that the UNC has taken a “dead centre” approach to some human rights issues, including women’s health and abortion, as well as LGBTQI rights.
She said there were many who were “very committed” to working with the party, and were interested in representation.
Persad-Bissessar said democracy was alive in the party and while choosing candidates was no easy job, there were many functions within the governance structure other than being an MP.
The UNC on Monday screened nominees for the constituencies of Mayaro, Couva North, Couva South and Caroni Central.
The entrance of incumbents Couva North MP Ravi Ratiram and Couva South MP Rudy Indarsingh was marked by tassa and African drums.
