By Pesi Fonua

The dissolution of the Tongan Parliament by HM King Tupou VI on August 24 is a wake up call for Tongans to return their focus to Tonga's modern democratisation process.

Tonga embarked on this democratisation process 142 years ago, when Tupou I declared the Tongan Constitution on 4 November 1875. It is the same Constitution that we have today, with a few amendments.

A move to speed up the democratic reform process was initiated in 2010. But since then social and political progress has faltered in an increasingly unsettled and disruptive political environment.

Tonga's first General Election for a so-called 'More Democratically Elected' form of government was held in November 2010, when Lord Tu’ivakano, a Nobles’ Representative for Tongatapu, was elected as Prime Minister.

His government was soon to be challenged by a parliamentary Motion for a Vote of No Confidence in early 2012. The rejected motion was led by a People's Representative 'Akilisi Pohiva, who was labelled as the leader of the opposition Tonga Democratic Party, with an affiliation of loyal MPs at his side.

The formation of parties whereby MPs relinquish their independent positions to the authority of the Prime Minister, in return for ministerial posts, has continued, even though Tonga’s Parliamentary System is not structured to run under a party system.

The people go to the polls to elect their independent representatives for their small constituencies, while nobles elect their own representatives – so Tonga's Legislature might be seen as two Houses under one roof - combining both a "House of Lords" and "House of Commons".

The elected representatives then choose a Prime Minister from among themselves. This means that all candidates who are running for parliament may have a shot at becoming the next prime minister.

New Prime Minister

The November 2014 General Election was Tonga’s second attempt at electing a 'More Democratically Elected' form of Government.

This time ‘Akilisi was elected as Prime Minister - an achievement that was hailed as a great success for his unofficial Democratic Party. Some independent members of parliament were also selected as Cabinet Ministers to join the party faithful.

This time around, the experienced parliamentarian and former PM Lord Tu’ivakano was elected as the Speaker of the House.

Once again, a motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the new Prime Minister and his Cabinet was tabled into the House in February this year, by Lord Tu’ilakepa, the Nobles’ Representative for Vava’u (2), and Vili Hingano, the People’s Representative for Ha’apai (12). And once again, a no confidence motion was rejected.

The move for Tonga to advance its democratic process, to secure its independence as a nation and advance the standard of living for its people has been side stepped by our politicians. Instead of advancing the participation of appropriately qualified people in leadership and decision making at all levels to drive progress and advance the smooth running of a system, it has become quite clear that our politicians sideline their responsibilities. Instead of progressing the reform, the elected members appear to be obsessed with accumulating political power for themselves in the short term and preparing for the next election, while the economy is in a state of stagnation.

Dire straits

With high unemployment, violent crime is rising. Everywhere you look the system is in dire straits, with an education system thrown into turmoil, sports administration falling apart, public broadcasting undermined, environmental degradation unchecked, and ambivalence shown toward international agreements.

The dissolution of the Tonga Legislative Assembly by King Tupou VI is a siren call for all Tongans that we have fallen off the track of the political reform that we embarked on in 2010.

Politicians have become lost in their own rhetoric of democracy, overlooking good governance, while seeking more political power and demonstrating contempt for the rule of law.

Meanwhile, Tonga is struggling to maintain its independence as a sovereign nation.

We are increasingly dependent on foreign aid to support not only development projects but also the recurrent or daily running costs of government. This is a new economic reality where donor partners have a direct input to ensure the successful running of the country.

The important remittances from Tongans overseas are a lifeline for many people, while there is slow progress in the development of our local industries, tourism, agriculture and fisheries, and business environment.

Tonga has opted to compete in the world arena by becoming a signatory to treaties such as the World Trade Organisation, the Cotonou Partnership Agreement with the European Union, and recently PACER Plus, a free trade and Development agreement with Australia and New Zealand.

There is no doubt that our new government to be elected before November 16 this year will need to rapidly pick up the ball and hit the ground running. Voters have a responsibility to raise the bar and choose competent representatives who can help to move the country forward.

Their representatives will be charged with picking up the reform and improving the electoral system to correct a downward spiral from repeating itself.

Wake up Tonga!