Solomon Islands MP Peter Kenilorea says history and the Constitution are on the side of the 28 MPs challenging the Governor-General’s refusal to convene Parliament, declaring: “We have the numbers. We remain 28 strong.”
Kenilorea said the current standoff is not new, highlighted past political crises where important action was taken.
“So, we heard in court last Friday that there have been three instances in the past which were very similar to the situation we face today – where support for a sitting PM was in serious doubt. These occasions were in 1994, 1998, and 2007. In all those three situations the serving GGs during those times acted. They did so by calling parliament to allow the house to test the support for the then PMs on the floor of parliament. The same floor they got elected on,” he said in a social media post.
He stressed that the constitutional framework remains largely unchanged and continues to vest authority in the Governor-General.
“The Constitution of Solomon Islands has not changed much in the intervening years. The GG remains the Head of the Executive – vice regal – for our Head of State, King Charles III. The government Ministers that he appoints, on the advice of the PM, are still called ‘Ministers of the Crown’. The PM is still the Head of Government.”
Kenilorea said the group was “bewildering” by the Governor-General’s response declining to act.
“That is why it was bewildering for us, the 28 who signed the petition to the GG asking him to convene parliament to allow a motion of no confidence to be debated and voted on, to get a response from the GG saying he has no power to convene parliament. He even replied saying that we can take the matter to court if we so wish.”
He said the decision to go to court was a direct response to that position.
“That is why we, the 28 MPs, decided to take the matter to the courts to review the decision by the GG stating that he is powerless. Our argument in a nutshell is this: GG, you are not powerless, you have the power to convene parliament. Afterall, on three prior occasions previous GGs have called parliament for motions of no confidence to test support for the PM by parliament.”
Kenilorea said arguments have now been put before the court, with a ruling expected soon.
“We feel our arguments were well made by our lawyers. We’ll see what the court’s ruling will be.”
He also alleged sustained political pressure in the lead-up to the court decision.
“Meanwhile, over the last 4 weeks, the offers, enticements and propaganda continued unabated. Propagated by the nation’s highest political leaders both at the national and provincial levels, by political appointees, by special interest supporters of GNUT, public supporters ridiculing us on social media platforms, to so-called concerned citizens.”
Despite this, he said the group remains united and confident.
“Yet, we, the group of 28 national leaders, continue to stand together, firm in our conviction that we are the government in waiting. Defying all odds by our strong resolve and solidarity.”
“Come what may with tomorrow’s expected court ruling, we continue to stand for the values of democracy, for majority rule, and the rule of law. We are confident because we have what GNUT doesn’t have. We have the numbers. We remain 28 strong,” he said.
