Tongan noble MP confirms upcoming vote of no confidence in PM Akilisi Pohiva

Tonga's Prime Minister, Akilisi Pohiva is to face a vote of no confidence in his government in a fortnight.

The 15 August challenge comes from the nine Noble MPs in the 26 seat parliament, citing a series of policy mistakes that have taken place recently.               

Noble MP Lord Vaea told Radio Australia several independents will support the vote, and he is even expecting some defections from the government.

“We believe that over the last 18 months the government has not performed as we anticipated. The way the PM has been performing we feel he hasn't come up to the standard expected of him.

I think there is a general split within Cabinet at this stage, because there are members who are going away from the main party itself, consequently this why the vote of no confidence is put up,”  Noble Vaea said.