Danny Philip
Encyclopedia
Danny Philip is a politician
and diplomat
from the Solomon Islands
. He is the current (interim) Prime Minister
, who came into office after the 2010 general election
. He served as foreign minister
from 1995 to 1996 and from July 2000 to June 2001. He was the leader of the People's Progressive Party
from 1997 to 2000, then founded the Reform Democratic Party
, of which he was the leader when elected Prime Minister.
, died just two days after his birth.
Philip has been an English teacher
and linguist by profession. He is from the town of Lokuru, which is located on Rendova Island
, Western Province
. Philip is married to his current wife, Margaret Philip. He has two former wives from previous marriages.
Philip is currently the Member of Parliament representing South New Georgia-Rendova-Tetepare as of 2010.
on August 24, 2010, following the 2010 general election
. Philip and his supporters, who constituted the so-called "Pacific Casino camp," narrowly defeated Steve Abana
, the leader of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party, by just three votes: Philip received 26 votes while Abana garnered 23. He replaced caretaker Prime Minister Derek Sikua
.
In a victory speech following the Prime Minister election, Philip stated that his first priority would be to form a new government. He said his government would actively support the country's Constitutional Reform process. This had been one of his central campaign pledges, and reason for creating the Reform Democratic Party.
Upon naming his Cabinet, he appointed Manasseh Maelanga
as his deputy
.
On November 11, 2011, after the defection of five ministers and seven backbencher
s to the Opposition, Philip resigned rather than face a motion of no confidence. He will lead an interim government until Parliament elects a new Prime Minister on November 16.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
from the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
. He is the current (interim) Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands
The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands is Solomon Islands' head of government, consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the National Parliament. Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm. Since August 2010, the Prime Minister has been Danny Philip of the Reform...
, who came into office after the 2010 general election
Solomon Islands general election, 2010
A general election was held in the Solomon Islands on 4 August 2010. In May 2010, Prime Minister Derek Sikua announced that the election would be held on 4 August, however, this announcement was deemed to be premature, as only the Governor General has the authority to announce the election date...
. He served as foreign minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
from 1995 to 1996 and from July 2000 to June 2001. He was the leader of the People's Progressive Party
People's Progressive Party (Solomon Islands)
The People's Progressive Party is a political party in the Solomon Islands. It was the dominant party in the country under diverse names in the seventies, eighties and nineties under its then leader Solomon Mamaloni. Mamaloni served as prime minister from 1981 to 1984, 1989 to 1993 and 1994 to...
from 1997 to 2000, then founded the Reform Democratic Party
Reform Democratic Party
The Reform Democratic Party of Solomon Islands is a political party in Solomon Islands. It was founded by MP Danny Philip. Campaigning for the 2010 general election, the party promised constitutional reform in order for the people to be "true owners of the state and its institutions". Philip was...
, of which he was the leader when elected Prime Minister.
Personal life
Danny Philip was born on August 5, 1953. His mother, who suffered from poliomyelitisPoliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an acute viral infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route...
, died just two days after his birth.
Philip has been an English teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
and linguist by profession. He is from the town of Lokuru, which is located on Rendova Island
Rendova Island
Rendova Island is an island, part of the New Georgia Islands of Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, east of Papua New Guinea. There are two indigenous languages spoken on Rendova Island: the Austronesian language Ughele in the north, and the Papuan language Touo in the south.The black-sand...
, Western Province
Western Province (Solomon Islands)
Western Province is the largest of the provinces of the Solomon Islands. The area is renowned for its beautiful tropical islands, excellent diving and snorkelling, coral reefs and WWII wrecks, ecotourism lodges, and head-hunting shrines...
. Philip is married to his current wife, Margaret Philip. He has two former wives from previous marriages.
Political career
Philip previously served four terms in the National Parliament of Solomon Islands between 1984 and 2001. He represented the Vona Vona-Rendova-Tetepare constituency from 1984 until 1993. Philip was then elected as the MP from the South New Georgia-Rendova-Tetepare constuency from 1994 until 2001.Philip is currently the Member of Parliament representing South New Georgia-Rendova-Tetepare as of 2010.
Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands
Philip was narrowly elected the Prime Minister of the Solomon IslandsPrime Minister of the Solomon Islands
The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands is Solomon Islands' head of government, consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the National Parliament. Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm. Since August 2010, the Prime Minister has been Danny Philip of the Reform...
on August 24, 2010, following the 2010 general election
Solomon Islands general election, 2010
A general election was held in the Solomon Islands on 4 August 2010. In May 2010, Prime Minister Derek Sikua announced that the election would be held on 4 August, however, this announcement was deemed to be premature, as only the Governor General has the authority to announce the election date...
. Philip and his supporters, who constituted the so-called "Pacific Casino camp," narrowly defeated Steve Abana
Steve Abana
Steve William Abana is a Solomon Islands politician. He is currently Member of Parliament for Fataleka, and was the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition from August 2010 to March 2011....
, the leader of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party, by just three votes: Philip received 26 votes while Abana garnered 23. He replaced caretaker Prime Minister Derek Sikua
Derek Sikua
David Derek Sikua served as the ninth Prime Minister of Solomon Islands from December 20, 2007 to August 25, 2010. He is a member of the Solomon Islands Liberal Party.-Career:Sikua is from Ngalitavethi Village in Guadalcanal Province...
.
In a victory speech following the Prime Minister election, Philip stated that his first priority would be to form a new government. He said his government would actively support the country's Constitutional Reform process. This had been one of his central campaign pledges, and reason for creating the Reform Democratic Party.
Upon naming his Cabinet, he appointed Manasseh Maelanga
Manasseh Maelanga
Manasseh Maelanga is a member of the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands. He represents a constituency from Malaita Province....
as his deputy
Deputy Prime Minister
A deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some counties, a government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to that of a vice president, but is significantly different, though both...
.
On November 11, 2011, after the defection of five ministers and seven backbencher
Backbencher
In Westminster parliamentary systems, a backbencher is a Member of Parliament or a legislator who does not hold governmental office and is not a Front Bench spokesperson in the Opposition...
s to the Opposition, Philip resigned rather than face a motion of no confidence. He will lead an interim government until Parliament elects a new Prime Minister on November 16.