Leader of the Independent Members
Encyclopedia
The Leader of the Independent Members, also referred to as Leader of the Independent Group, is a Member
of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands
who is officially recognised as leader of a group of MPs
who are aligned neither with the government nor with the Official Opposition
.
The position is established by the Constitution of 1978, which has been in force since the country's independence from the United Kingdom
. Article 66 of the Constitution creates the functions of Leader of the Opposition
and Leader of the Independent Members, which are separate. (While "Leader of the Opposition
" is a position found throughout the Commonwealth realm
s, "Leader of the Independent Members" is a Solomon Islands specificity.) Both are officially appointed by the Governor-General, who appoints as Leader the Member of Parliament recognised as such by the Opposition, or by unaligned Members, respectively. The Governor-General may dismiss the Leader of the Independent Members if it appears he no longer enjoys the support of those members. The Leader of the Independent Members has no specific, constitutionally defined functions.
The following have served as Leader of the Independent Members:
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
of the National Parliament of 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...
who is officially recognised as leader of a group of MPs
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
who are aligned neither with the government nor with the Official Opposition
Shadow Cabinet of Solomon Islands
The Shadow Cabinet of Solomon Islands is the parliamentary Opposition's alternative Cabinet in Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm with a Westminster system of government; the Shadow Cabinet is modelled on the British institution of the same name.The Opposition is formally...
.
The position is established by the Constitution of 1978, which has been in force since the country's independence from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Article 66 of the Constitution creates the functions of Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (Solomon Islands)
The Leader of the Opposition in Solomon Islands is a Member of Parliament who commands a large minority of his peers, united in loyal opposition to government...
and Leader of the Independent Members, which are separate. (While "Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition
The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in a Westminster System of parliamentary government...
" is a position found throughout the Commonwealth realm
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
s, "Leader of the Independent Members" is a Solomon Islands specificity.) Both are officially appointed by the Governor-General, who appoints as Leader the Member of Parliament recognised as such by the Opposition, or by unaligned Members, respectively. The Governor-General may dismiss the Leader of the Independent Members if it appears he no longer enjoys the support of those members. The Leader of the Independent Members has no specific, constitutionally defined functions.
The following have served as Leader of the Independent Members:
- Daniel Enele KwanairaraDaniel Enele KwanairaraDaniel Enele Kwanairara is a member of the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands. He represents a constituency in Malaita Province.-References:*...
from May 2006 to December 13, 2007, and Peter Shanel Agovaka from January 2008 to September 25, 2008. Both served during the Eighth Parliament8th Parliament of Solomon IslandsThe 8th Parliament of Solomon Islands, determined by the 2006 general election, was the National Parliament of Solomon Islands from 2006 to 2010...
, and neither was a member of any political party. - Clay ForauClay Forau SoalaoiClay Forau Soalaoi, more commonly referred to as Clay Forau, is a Solomon Islands politician.He was first elected to Parliament, representing the Temotu Vatud constituency, at the 2006 general election, in April. From 22 April to 5 May, he served briefly as Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs,...
became Leader of the Independent Members on August 30, 2010, following the 2010 general electionSolomon Islands general election, 2010A 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 was thus the first holder of that post in the Ninth Parliament. He is a member of the People's Federation Party. In early April 2011, however, he left the position to join the ranks of the government.
See also
- Prime Minister of Solomon Islands
- Leader of the Opposition (Solomon Islands)Leader of the Opposition (Solomon Islands)The Leader of the Opposition in Solomon Islands is a Member of Parliament who commands a large minority of his peers, united in loyal opposition to government...