The current structure of Tonga’s Parliament has allowed for the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual, undermining efforts for democratic reform that have been supported by both royal and popular acclaim.

Democratic reform is about ensuring that no individual holds disproportionate influence over the legislative or executive branches. It advocates for broad participation in decision-making and ethical scrutiny through mechanisms like the separation of powers and checks and balances.

However, recent events have raised concerns that some are seeking to consolidate power, not for the benefit of the people, but for their own gain. This reality has often been obscured by a campaign of division and misinformation.

Significant motions have been raised in Parliament to address issues with the Cabinet and the Prime Minister. Yet, the Prime Minister has reportedly directed the Speaker to exclude these motions from the House record, effectively preventing any meaningful debate or resolution. Such actions serve to shield the government from scrutiny, rendering the democratic process impotent.

This structural flaw facilitates the abuse of power and must be urgently reformed. This becomes particularly concerning when the Prime Minister’s actions are perceived as dismissive of the Crown and the Monarch.

The failure of the recent No Confidence Motion starkly highlights the extent of the issue. The Prime Minister was given advance notice of the motion, allowing ample time to prepare a defense and strengthen his position. When the motion was finally presented, the concerns raised were dismissed without proper discussion, and Parliament rejected it without addressing its underlying issues. In this instance, the very system designed to hold the Prime Minister accountable was rendered ineffective by his influence over the process.

How to Fix This

The processes governing both the legislative and executive branches need to be transparent and resilient against manipulation.

Expand Parliamentary Representation Tonga’s Parliament, currently composed of just 26 members, is too small to provide effective representation for its citizens. In comparison, many local rugby clubs have larger memberships than our national legislature. This concentration of power leaves too few voices in the decision-making process, enabling a small group to dominate.

Democratic governance benefits from involving as many citizens as possible in decision-making. According to the ACE Electoral Knowledge Network, the ideal parliamentary size should be relative to the population, and for Tonga, this “sweet spot” is approximately 52 members—double the current size.

A larger Parliament allows for the exchange of diverse ideas and serves as a safeguard against the dominance of any one individual or minority. Given Tonga’s growing and youthful population, it is not only a present need but also a future necessity to ensure a robust governance system. The costs of expanding Parliament are outweighed by the long-term benefits, including reduced reliance on external oversight bodies and greater internal accountability.

Establish Checks and Balances To ensure the integrity of the legislative process, Parliament must introduce mechanisms that regulate its internal operations. These measures would protect the authority of the King, prevent abuse of power, and safeguard democratic values.

At present, the Prime Minister’s influence over parliamentary proceedings is alarming. For instance, motions can be excluded before they reach the floor, and controversial bills may be passed unchecked—only for the King to later reject them, leaving politicians to deflect responsibility.