Tonga: A divergence of ideologies

Dumped Tonga opposition MP Sitiveni Halapua – who will not stand for the Democrats after a party committee chose not to select four MPs as candidates for November’s election – says the reasons for non-selection appear to be specific to each of the four.

He says in his case, his differences with the party have been evident for two years and stem from an ideologically divergence.

Dr Halapua says he wants to focus more on addressing what he calls Tonga’s development crisis, rather than the ongoing quest for greater democracy

“There were a lot of concentration and focus on the struggle for democracy, as a result of which some of the development issues have been neglected, as a result of which we are now facing very, very serious challenges and crisis – particularly in the area of education and health.”

Dr Halapua says he will now contest the election as an independent.

Dr Halapua says there’s a danger in focussing too much on the changing shape of Tonga’s democratic institutions.

“And my idea centres around the idea of kafataha – which is basically a government of national balance.

“Because I believe that neglecting the ideas of development generates conflict and serious instability that we now know most of the countries of the Pacific islands are facing. And I really want Tonga to avoid that.”