Preaching to the converts [1]
Monday, December 20, 2010 - 13:53. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
by Pesi Fonua
THE House is clearly divided between the Political Party PTOA and the independent members with the nobles, and the tone of the speeches this morning is more for the ears of the converts than the unbelievers.
While the speeches made before lunch are not likely to change anyone's mind, but further speeches are yet to be made after the Legislative Assembly's Special Meeting to Elect the Prime Minister resumes after lunch break at 2:00pm.
The PTOA have a conviction that at all costs a People's Representative should be elected as the new Prime Minister Designate, while the Independents MPs with the nobles are stressing the importance to have a Legislature of National Unity and to vote for a leader who could unite the House.
The speeches from new members began following the announcement of the two nominees for a Prime Minister Designate by the Interim Speaker at the Parliament House in Nuku'alofa this morning.
The Paati Temokalati 'a e 'Otumotu Anga'ofa PTOA, put in two nominations for 'Akilisi Pohiva, while the so-called Independent Members nominated Lord Tu'ivakano.
The Interim Speaker, Lord Tupou announced that since the two nominees from the PTOA were for the same person, 'Akilisi Pohiva, there were only two nominations for a new Tongan Prime Minister: 'Akilisi Pohiva and Lord Tu'ivakano.
The procedure was for the nominee that was first filed, Lord Tu'ivakano to speak first then, followed by 'Akilisi and then for any member to take their turn in making speeches.
Lord Tupou also announced that following the speeches he would give the two nominees an opportunity to make another speech, with 'Akilisi first then Lord Tu'ivakano.
Lord Tu'ivakano requested for the member who nominated him, Sunia Fili, to speak for him first and then he would make a speech before the session finished rather than having to speak twice.
'Akilisi Pohiva gave a brief summary of what he considered to be a history of a movement by the people to elect their leaders, which he dated to begin in 1972, initiated by Dr Langi Kavaliku, then to 2000, and finally up to today.
Sunia Fili spoke in support of his nomination of Lord Tu'ivakano. He stressed that the new government would be very powerful and they needed a leader who could unite the 26 members of the House. He believed that the nomination of 'Akilisi by his party with its own agenda would divide the House. He said the most important factor is for the House to work together.
More speeches followed, in an alternative fashion, from the PTOA members, Sangstar Saulala, Siosifa Tu'utafaiva, and Sione Taione, stressing their belief that the country needs a People's Representative to be a leader, and that 'Akilisi is their man.
In response from the Independent members and from the Nobles, Lord Vaea and Samiu Vaipulu further stressed that in the Reform Program and the legislation that was passed by the House, there was not one clause requiring that the new PM must be a People's Representatives. They said it was most important for the 26 to elect whom they thought was the best leader to unite the House and to enable the 26 members to work together for the benefit of the whole country; and not in accordance with the working agenda of a political party.