United Solomon Islands Party

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politics and government of
the Solomon Islands

The United Solomon Islands Party (USIPA) was a political party in the Solomon Islands.

History

Following the 1973 elections, the Governing Council was transformed into the Legislative Assembly and an election was arranged for the position of Chief Minister in 1974. Two parties were formed in 1973 shortly before the elections by MPs; USIPA led by Benedict Kinika was established (by 14 of the members) and the People's Progressive Party (PPP) led by Solomon Mamaloni.[1] USIPA members were former civil servants who wanted self-government as soon as possible and for more Solomon Islanders to be employed in the civil service.[2] Mamaloni won the election, becoming the Islands' first Chief Minister and formed a cabinet of both PPP and USIPA members; Kinika subsequently resigned as USIPA leader and was replaced by Philip Funifaka.[2] Mamaloni resigned in November 1975 after an inquiry into action taken without consulting his cabinet, and when he was re-elected in December he formed a cabinet with five USIPA members (including Funifuka), two from the PPP and one independent.[3]

Following the formation of the new government and prior to the 1976 general elections, USIPA and the PPP both disintegrated,[4] and USIPA members became independent MPs.[2]

References

  1. Decolonising the Solomon Islands: British theory and Melanesian practice Alfred Deakin Research Institute
  2. 1 2 3 Haruhiro Fukui (1985) Political parties of Asia and the Pacific: Laos–Western Samoa, Greenwood Press, p1003
  3. Solomon Islands Decolonization, p12
  4. Pacific Perspective, Volume 13, Issue 2
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