The vote of no confidence is over and Parliament’s nobles have put it behind them, Lord Tu’ilakepa told Kaniva News this evening.
But if they had won, they would have offered the ministerial and Prime Minister’s posts to the people’s representatives.
He said they had agreed not to accept any posts if they managed to oust Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva
As we reported this afternoon the voting went 14-10 in Hon. Pohiva’s favour.
The nobles who lodged the motion of no confidence were supported by some independents.
Finance Minister Aisake Eke abstained.
Clarifying an earlier report in Kaniva News, Lord Tu’ilakepa said that while Lord Ma’afu had not been at the meeting, the other nobles did not hold a grudge against him.
A Cabinet source told Kaniva News details of the noble’s agreement had not been distributed to Parliament and Members of the House could not tell what was in it when Lord Tu’ilakepa raised it in Parliament.
Hon. Pohiva, a lifelong campaigner for democratic change in the kingdom, is Tonga’s first commoner Prime Minister
The motion for a vote of no confidence cited a range of issues, including appointing family members, upsetting Indonesia by supporting West Papua and financial mismanagement.
Hon. Pohiva denied the claims, saying they had already been aired twice in Parliament.
The main points
- The vote of no confidence is over and Parliament’s nobles have put it behind them, Lord Tu’ilakepa told Kaniva News this evening.
- But if they had won, they would have offered the ministerial and Prime Minister’s posts to the people’s representatives.
- He said they had agreed not to accept any posts if they managed to oust Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva
- Clarifying an earlier report in Kaniva News, Lord Tu’ilakepa said that while Lord Ma’afu had not been at the meeting, the other nobles did not hold a grudge against him.
