Solomon Islands United Party
The Solomon Islands United Party is a political party in Solomon Islands.
It was launched in March 1980, shortly after the country's independence from the United Kingdom, by Prime Minister Peter Kenilorea. He had initially been an independent, but, in the lead-up to the country's first post-independence general election, he was "aware that secure leadership and government depended on reliable support in the House and this support could only come from having an organised party". The United Party emerged from the election with the largest number of seats in Parliament, and Kenilorea remained Prime Minister.[1]
The party retained significant public support throughout the 1980s,[1] then experienced a period of decline. It was "revived" in the build-up to the 2010 general election. Its new president, Joel Moffat Konofilia, launched its manifesto in July. He focused on his claim that God had cursed Solomon Islands to punish the country for "vot[ing] against the nation of Israel" at the United Nations. Asking forgiveness from God, he added that "starting today and onward the United Party will vow its support and vote for Israel unconditionally in obedience to Genesis 12: 1- 3". He stated that his beliefs and actions as leader, if elected, would be "rooted deeply in the word of God".[2]
References
- 1 2 "PARTY POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT IN SOLOMON ISLANDS", Sam Alasia, State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Project, Australian National University
- ↑ "Konofilia launched his party in North", Solomon Star, 12 July 2010
