Solomon Islands United Party
Encyclopedia
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.
The party retained significant public support throughout the 1980s, 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".
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in 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...
.
It was launched in March 1980, shortly after 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...
, by Prime Minister Peter Kenilorea
Peter Kenilorea
Sir Peter Kenilorea KBE is a Solomon Islands politician, officially styled The Rt. Hon. Sir Peter Kenilorea as a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom....
. He had initially been an independent, but, in the lead-up to the country's first post-independence general election
Solomon Islands general election, 1980
General elections were held in the Solomon Islands on 6 August 1980. A total of 244 candidates contested the election, the result of which was a victory for the Solomon Islands United Party, which won 16 of the 38 seats.-Results:...
, 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
Party Politics
Party Politics is a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes papers in the field of Political Science. The journal's editors are David M Farrell and Paul Webb...
". The United Party emerged from the election with the largest number of seats in Parliament, and Kenilorea remained Prime Minister.
The party retained significant public support throughout the 1980s, then experienced a period of decline. It was "revived" in the build-up to 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...
. Its new president, Joel Moffat Konofilia, launched its manifesto in July. He focused on his claim that God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
had cursed Solomon Islands to punish the country for "vot[ing] against the nation of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
" at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. 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".