MPs

The nine MPs are chosen by members of their own ranks, and will govern alongside 17 representatives who are voted in by the people. 

2021 newly-elected Noble members of Parliament: 

Lord Vaea

Lord Tu’ivakano

Lord Fohe

Lord Nuku

Lord Tu’iha’angana

Lord Fakafanua

Lord Tu’iafitu

Lord Tu’ilakepa

Lord Fotofili

Last minute changes

One of Tonga's most promising politicians vacated his seat as the Noble for the two Niuas on medical grounds. 

The duration of absence is now three consecutive calendar months compared to the previous requirement of 12 consecutive calendar months.

The Legislative Assembly (Amendment) Bill 2021 was introduced by Lord Fakafanua, Noble’s Representative no.2 for Ha’apai.

The amendment to the Legislative Assembly Act was recently passed in Parliament to encourage the obligatory attendance of MPs during the House sitting to fulfill their Constitutional and legislative mandated roles.

Dr 'Aisake Eke was removed earlier this week from his Finance Minister's post after he abstained in a no confidence vote against Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva.

RNZ reports the vote was defeated but Dr Eke was sacked from his post.

He said he had no grudges about his removal and expected it.

But he said he wanted the Tonga Legislature to learn to work together and this was something he would be aiming to achieve if he remains in politics.

He said the adversarial approach does not work for Tonga.

The vote against Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva was unsuccessful, with the Government holding on to power with a vote of 14 to 10.

RNZ reports the nobles had made a series of accusations about the way Mr Pohiva ran his administration in what was just the second ever vote of no confidence to be staged in Tonga.

The first, more than four years ago, brought the country to a near standstill for weeks, but the Royal Oceania Institute's director of research, Tevita Motulalo, said this time around the process was far less disruptive.

FBC News says it has sighted the email, which it says was found on a computer in an internet shop in Lautoka last week.

The shop owner, who alerted police, is under military guard in hospital after he was allegedly severely beaten by police officers.

FBC News says the attack was planned to be carried out by what it calls disciplined officers during a parliamentary sitting also attended by the acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

A police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro, says the police will not be making any comments on the ongoing investigations.