Solomon Islands MP for Central Honiara, Gordon Darcy Lilo, Monday withdrawn his Motion of No Confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, citing insufficient support from fellow Parliamentarians.
Lilo acknowledged his inability to secure the numbers needed to challenge the Prime Minister’s leadership during a parliamentary session.
“I don’t have the number. The number has retracted. But the number out there are waiting keenly, you know, to listen to these issues that we are having right now. I am on their behalf. And on behalf of the people, I will retract it. I withdraw this motion. Open all the windows of this chamber and then throw this motion out.” he said.
Lilo had initially sought to delay the motion until 18 December 2024, but his request was overruled by Speaker of Parliament,Patterson Oti.
Oti said he would not defer the motion of no confidence, as it was not supported by the Standing Orders.
Presiding over the motion Oti inform the House explains certain aspects of the procedure and processes involved in the motion of no confidence.
He said that the relationship between Parliament and the Government is constitutional, although political in nature.
“Since the Government is formed by the majority of Members of Parliament, it commands the votes necessary to support its actions. The Government’s authority to govern is dependent on maintaining the confidence of the House,” he said.
Oti highlighted that the Government of the day must retain the confidence of the House, a constitutional principle that determines the relationship between Parliament and the Government.
“This principle ensures that the Government is accountable to Parliament and is a core principle of parliamentary democracy,” said Oti.
