The closure of the Tongan parliament on Thursday, September 30 was a historical and a memorable event for Tonga but was not celebrated with the usual fanfare for the closing of the annual session.

It was the end of a parliamentary system that has been in operation for 135 years, and despite the urgency for Tonga to do away with the old system of parliament and introduce a new system, there was an element of sadness in the air during the 'soft' closing ceremony of parliament. One passer-by likened the occasion to a funeral ceremony, because of the quietness and the serious look on the faces of those who attended.

There was no 21 gun salute, no brass band music, no smiles or laughter and no clowns, who used to have their fun-day by clowning with school children on the streets of Nuku'alofa.

Plans for the usual fanfare were cancelled last week when it became known that the King would not appear to close the 2010 session.

Instead, Baron Vaea carrying the king's speech in a red folder arrived at Parliament House to close the session, accompanied by Lord Ma'afu and Lord Fielakepa. Baron Vaea read out the historial speech by King George Tupou V to the parliamentarians and their wives, the staff of the House and a handful of guests.

The king thanked the House for their hard work in the amending of the Constitution and the passing of legislation, and their willingness to fulfill his wishes by transferring his executive power as the king of Tonga to the people of Tonga.

"May it be inscribed in the hearts of all Tongans of your willingness for such a transition to take place and may future generations applaud what has been achieved.

"Glory to God and with respect to our brave ancestors who enabled us to live in peace and freedom today."

The king also expressed his fond memory of of his ancestor King Siaosi Tupu I, the founder of Tonga's Constitutional Monarchy, a Christian and a Democratic state. ". . .he relinquished some of his authority to the government and distributed the land to the people to inherit forever. Today we are embarking on fulfilling Tupou I's vision and we are so thankful that the foundation and the direction had been laid out, and that we are not venturing into the unknown," the king stated.

Tongan will have its General Election on November 25 which will usher in a new composition of parliament.