UNC MPs aligned to the United Patriots slate have no fear of the possibility of not being chosen to contest next year's general election as UNC candidates as a consequence of openly challenging the Star slate-controlled national executive (natex) in the party's internal elections on June 15.

Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes-Alleyne made this position clear when she addressed a news conference held by the Patriots slate in McBean, Couva on June 16.

Earlier in the day, the UNC elections management committee released preliminary results, which showed the Star slate sweeping the Patriots slate 213,651 to 62,186 votes.

The Star slate was endorsed by Opposition Leader and UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Haynes-Alleyne, Mayaro MP Rushton Paray and Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Dr Rai Ragbir failed to remove incumbent UNC deputy leaders Dr Roodal Moonilal, Jearlean John and David Lee from their posts in the elections.

Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally and Naparima MP Rodney Charles publicly aligned themselves with the Patriots.

Paray, Haynes-Alleyne, Ragbir and Rambally all submitted nomination forms to the UNC's natex to stand for re-election in their respective constituencies in 2025.

Charles publicly announced last year that he would not contest next year's general election.

Asked whether she or her fellow MPs believe they will not be chosen to contest the election because of their association with the United Patriots, Haynes-Alleyne said, "With respect to us as Members of Parliament and selection (as general election candidates), I think for all of us going into this (internal elections), we understood that the natex has the responsibility of choosing candidates in the general election."

She added, "All we can do is urge that the natex, as it is duly elected now, makes decisions in the best interest of the UNC for a win in the general election in 2025."

Haynes-Alleyne then made this point clear on behalf of Paray, Rambally, Ragbir and herself.

"At no point in time, I would say, did we ever mention that we were concerned about (political) self-preservation. We were always very concerned with whether or not the UNC will be in a position to win the 2025 general election."

Haynes-Alleyne said she did not understand what UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar meant by the Patriots running a dishonest election campaign.

She said, "That is factually inaccurate and those things can be checked."

Haynes-Alleyne reminded the media that the Patriots ran a campaign for "a stronger UNC for a stronger TT."

The campaign, she continued, focused on election promises made previously by the incumbent natex on issues such as greater outreach initiatives towards the party's membership and a permanent party headquarters.

"So, these are things that are factually things that are needed in our party. Therefore, I can't answer to what Mrs Persad-Bissessar is saying is a campaign built on a lie."

Paray agreed with Haynes-Alleyne.

Far from promoting dishonesty, Paray said the Patriots' campaign created hope