-PFP says the no-confidence debate will reveal the truth behind exodus from GNUT
-Today is third day since motion matured, PM yet to call parliament
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE Solomon Islands People’s First Party (PFP) has said the reasons behind their mass exodus from GNUT will be formally presented on the floor of Parliament during the Motion of No Confidence.
This statement comes as Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele refuses to call parliament for the motion of no-confidence against him, and public intensifying calls wanting to know why PFP had left the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) coalition.
PFP’s statement is the latest development in the ongoing political impasse after the mass resignation from GNUT on March 15-17 which saw 19 MPs leave including the whole PFP party, 12 government ministers and seven back-benchers, some OUR party, Kandere and U4C members.
As a result, the GNUT now governs with a minority of just 22 MPs, while the new coalition holds a majority of 28 MPs to date.
In a statement issued yesterday the PFP said while the reasons behind their decision are substantial and compelling, they encourage the Prime Minister to convene Parliament so that citizens of the country are informed.
The Party said that Parliament is the appropriate and constitutional platform for such issues to be debated and not the media.
“There is no point trying to score political points in the media. The rightful place for this issue is on the floor of Parliament, where it can be properly debated in the interest of our nation and its citizens,” the statement said.
PFP however, further clarified that the mass resignation of ministers and backbenchers is a clear and undeniable vote of no confidence in the leadership of the GNUT Government.
The Party in their statement also reaffirmed its crucial role in the formation of the GNUT Government, noting that it had consistently stood by the coalition during previous challenges in the interest of national stability, despite ongoing internal disagreements.
“We have always stood by GNUT for the sake of national stability. But we could no longer, in good conscience, continue under the current leadership. Our decision to withdraw was a united and principled stand by all our MPs to protect the integrity of our Party,” the statement added.
The Party said that the mass exodus cut across multiple coalition partners.
“The 12 ministers and 7 backbenchers that resigned were not only from PFP alone. Four were from Our Party, two from Kandere and one from U4C. The fact that members from different parties within GNUT resigned is evident that this is not a single-party issue but a clear indication of a fractured and failing coalition,” the statement said.
“There are disgruntled GNUT members who are still sitting on the other side but lack the courage to stand up. The current situation reflects a government that has lost unity, direction, and the confidence of its own members,” PFP said.
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