Kaniva opinion
Does Clive Edwards want change in Tonga or not?
In 2014 he told Matangi Tonga the government had introduced reforms to make the kingdom’s judicial system more democratic and in line with the Constitution.
The reforms which were passed by Parliament in August that year abolished the Lord Chancellor, and replaced the Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel with a Judicial Services Commission.
When Parliament closed on 11 September, 2014, a total of 23 Bills, including those for the reforming of Tonga’s judicial system, and for the appointment of an Anti-corruption Commissioner that were passed by Parliament, were still awaiting the Royal consent.
You can read the Matangi Tonga report here: Judicial Reform In Tonga Awaits King’s Consent
Edwards’ statements in that article appear to show that he and the former Lord Tu’ivakano’s government believed there had to be changes to Tonga’s democratic system and its constitution after the reforms of 2010.
He said the Justice Ministry brought in constitutional expert, Peter Pursglove to review the constitutional provisions relating to the judicial structure of Tonga. The Ministry arranged to meet with the Law Lords, but they did not turn up and had since tried to block the reform.
However, this is the same Clive Edwards, who has been a fierce political rival of Hon. Pōhiva for years, who told the people two weeks ago that the Pōhiva government was trying to remove the king’s powers.
He was referring to the six new Bills the government is trying to move through Parliament. However, Hon. Pōhiva says the six Bills stem from the initiatives of the Tu’ivakanō government when Edwards was the Justice Minister.
Hon. Pōhiva believes there is nothing sinister about the Bills, but his opponents still hold a grudge against him and regard the page of the new Bills as an opportunity to campaign against his government.
Traditionally it has been taboo in Tonga, for somebody like Hon. Pōhiva to call for changes that might challenge the traditional power of the king , the nobles and the system that supports them.
In 2014, Edward criticised the Law Lords, for standing in the way of reform.
Yet just last year Edwards called for the king to dissolve Parliament and set up an interim government.
Does the veteran politician still want reform and for Tonga to progress as a democratic nation?
Can he put aside whatever personal animosity he has for Hon. Pohiva and work with him for the good of the country?
There are questions we can ask, but only Edwards can answer.
The main points
- Does Clive Edwards want change in Tonga or not?
- In 2014 he told Matangi Tonga the government had introduced reforms to make the kingdom’ judicial system system more democratic and in line with the Constitution.
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