Solomon Islands Democratic Party | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Matthew Wale |
| Founded | October 2005 |
| National Parliament | 8 / 50 |
The Solomon Islands Democratic Party is a political party in Solomon Islands. In a country in which political parties tend to be small and transient, and to obtain very few seats in Parliament, [1] [2] the Democratic Party has played a comparatively major role in recent history.
Gabriel Suri, a lawyer, founded the party in October 2005. It was to focus on "ethical leadership" for the country. Its general secretary, John Keniapisia, described that as a leadership founded on a relationship with God: "Political leadership is about nation building. Political leadership is also about God's calling for men & women to be involved in Kingdom building, here on earth, knowing that everything we do is a calling from God. Therefore we are answerable to Him. Our focus must be on things of eternal value. In everything we do, we must intent on doing it for the glory of God". The Democratic Party would also promote "indigenous rule", ensuring indigenous "control over the destiny of the country" and empowering "traditional decision making process[es]". [3]
In the April 2006 general election, the party just obtained just three seats (out of fifty) in the National Parliament, with 4.9% of the vote. [4] Nonetheless, when newly elected Prime Minister Snyder Rini resigned the following month in the face of a vote of no confidence, the Democrats joined Manasseh Sogavare's Grand Coalition for Change Government. In November 2007, the Democrats withdrew their support from Sogavare, supporting a successful motion of no confidence to oust him, and became a key part of new Prime Minister Derek Sikua's Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement government. The party gained a fourth member when it was joined by a sitting MP. [5] [6] Subsequent floor-crossing brought its number of MPs up to at least six. [3]
In government under Sikua, the party was described as "instrumental" in ensuring the introduction of "significant reforms such as the Political Party Reform Bills, the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the establishment of the taskforce team to undertake study for creation of an Independent Commission Against Corruption". [5]
The party's general secretary, John Keniapisia, stated in 2009 that one of its main objectives were to "push for the country to develop a stronger relationship with God". [7] [8] He also supported the Political Parties Integrity Bill, in the name of "political stability". [8]
Leading the Democrats into the August 2010 general election, party leader Steve Abana campaigned on a promise of "more recognition to tribal landowners by registering all tribal lands in the name of tribes"; "the implementation of a National Adaptation Plan to address climate change for the most vulnerable communities; a focus to improve the standard of living in villages consistent with the Millennium Development Goals"; a pledge "to ensure that 80 percent of energy in the country be produced from renewable resources"; and electoral reform to introduce preferential voting. [5] The party's platform also included "push[ing] for the development of a national university based on Malaita", and developing economic and trade relations with the People's Republic of China, without departing from the country's diplomatic recognition of the Republic of China (Taiwan). [3]
In the 2010 election, the Democratic Party became by far the largest single party in Parliament, winning thirteen seats out of fifty. (No other party obtained more than three seats.) [9] Democratic MP and leader Steve Abana then sought to be elected Prime Minister by his peers. He succeeded in obtaining the votes of 23 MPs, but was defeated by Danny Philip (of the People's Progressive Party), who was elected with 26. [10] Four days later, on 31 August, Abana officially became Leader of the Opposition, and appointed a Shadow Cabinet, in which Democrats held ten of the nineteen Shadow Ministries. [11] Two other Democrats, however, had already defected to the government, obtaining positions in Prime Minister Philip's Cabinet; they were later joined by Stanley Sofu, who had been Abana's Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Development, but who accepted a position as Minister for Public Service. [12] Thus, of the Democratic Party's thirteen MPs, nine were Shadow Ministers, two were Ministers, and the other two were backbenchers.
The party's National Executive during the lead-up to the 2010 election consisted in President John Ini Lapli, Vice-President Dr. Alice Pollard, Treasurer Gideon Zoleveke (Jnr), general secretary John Keniapisia and Party Leader Steve Abana. [5]
In November 2011, the party renewed its leadership. Mathew Wale became party leader, while Dr. Alice Pollard became party president. At this stage, the party was still officially in Parliament, but had experienced "the defection of almost three-quarters" of its parliamentary members (including Steve Abana) to the government benches. [13]
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 9,338 | 4.89 (#5) | 3 / 50 | New |
| 2010 | 24,719 | 10.49 (#1) | 12 / 50 |  9 |
| 2014 | Did not contest | 0 / 50 |  12 | |
| 2019 | 42,245 | 13.64 (#1) | 8 / 50 | 8 |
| 2024 | 66,808 | 19.31 (#2) | 11 / 50 | 3 |
Manasseh Damukana Sogavare is a Solomon Islander politician who served as the prime minister of Solomon Islands for a total of nine years from 2000–2001, 2006–2007, 2014–2017, and 2019–2024. Sogavare has served in the National Parliament representing East Choiseul since 1997.
Danny Philip is a politician and diplomat from Solomon Islands. He was the prime minister of Solomon Islands from 2010 to 2011. Previously he served as the minister of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1996 and again from July 2000 to June 2001. He was the leader of the People's Progressive Party from 1997 to 2000, then founded the Reform Democratic Party, of which he was the leader when elected Prime Minister.
John Patteson Oti, sometimes called Patterson Oti, is a Solomon Islands politician and diplomat. He was Minister for Foreign Affairs, External Trade and Immigration from May 2006 to 22 December 2007. He is the secretary general of the Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party, which was launched in early 2010. Since March 2012, he has been his country's High Commissioner to Fiji.
David Derek Sikua served as the prime minister of Solomon Islands from 20 December 2007 to 25 August 2010. He is a member of the Solomon Islands Liberal Party.
Steve William Abana is a Solomon Islands politician. He is a former Member of Parliament for Fataleka and was the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition from August 2010 to March 2011.
Shemuel Sam Iduri was a Solomon Islands politician.
Clay Forau Soalaoi, more commonly referred to as Clay Forau, is a Solomon Islands politician.
Stanley Festus Sofu is a Solomon Islands politician.
James Tora is a Solomon Islands politician.
General elections were held in the Solomon Islands on 4 August 2010. The election date was announced in May 2010 by Prime Minister Derek Sikua. Although the announcement was deemed to be premature, as only the Governor General has the authority to announce the election date upon the advice of the Electoral Commission, the election date remained the same.
Douglas Ete is a Solomon Islands politician.
Peter Shannel Agovaka is a Solomon Islands politician.
The 9th Parliament of Solomon Islands, determined by the 2010 general election, was the National Parliament of Solomon Islands from 2010 until 2014. It was preceded by the eighth and followed by the tenth.
The Shadow Cabinet of Solomon Islands is the parliamentary Opposition's alternative Cabinet in Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm with a Westminster system of government; the Shadow Cabinet is modelled on the British institution of the same name.
In the Solomon Islands, the Leader of the Official Opposition is the leader of the largest political party in the National Parliament that is not in government. The title of "Leader of the Opposition" is common to the Commonwealth realms and several other Commonwealth countries, though in Solomon Islands it is specifically defined by the Constitution. The Leader of the Opposition appoints and leads a Shadow Cabinet. The current Leader of the Opposition, since December 2014, is Jeremiah Manele.
Alfred Ghiro is a Solomon Islands politician.
Moses Garu is a Solomon Islands politician. He was born in Isunavutu, West Guadalcanal, Guadalcanal Province.
George Milner Tozaka OBE, better known as Milner Tozaka, is a Solomon Islands diplomat and politician.
Rick Houenipwela, more commonly known as Rick Hou, is a Solomon Islander politician who served as the prime minister of Solomon Islands from 15 November 2017 to 24 April 2019.
Dickson Mua Panakitasi, primarily known as Dickson Mua, is a Solomon Islands politician.
