A new political party, the People’s National Party – Paati Tufunga Fonua ‘a e Kakai was launched at the Tanoa Hotel, Nuku’alofa on Saturday, 9 June 2018.

Headed by the party president Col. (Rtd) Siamelie Latu, and his deputy Sione Tu’itavake Fonua, the party was formally registered as an incorporated body on 7 May 2018.

Party President Latu in his inaugural speech stressed that the party will abide by the political reform that was introduced in 2010, and their desire for a country with a government under a competent leadership, to be transparent and to ensure that there is law and order, and people live peacefully.

The Deputy President, Sione Fonua also reminded the gathering that one significant aspect of the 2010 political reform, was the increase in the number of People Representatives from nine to 17, while the number of Nobles’ Representatives remained at 9.

The Guest Speaker Kalafi Moala expressed his gratitude for the move to have another political party besides the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands – Paati Temokalati ‘a e ‘Out Felenite. He stressed the importance for Tonga to have leadership that is not selfish and dictatorial, but to have a government that runs the country according to the constitution and the law.

The People’s National Party is the third political party that has been formed leading up to the launching of the political reform of 2010.  This is despite the fact that political parties are not a component of the political reform that was introduced in 2010. Under Tonga’s current political system, members of parliament are elected into parliament either as a People’s Representative or a Nobles’ Representative.

The guest of honour at the launching of the People’s National Party was Dr ‘Aisake Eke, a former Minister of Finance and a People’s Representative for Constituency No. 5.