There is tension brewing within the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) with one former Cabinet Minister going public on the need for their leaders to “hang their boxing gloves”, following the party’ defeat in the elections this year.

A current Member of Parliament, who is a senior H.R.P.P. member, said that the former ruling party’s unsuccessful attempt in the April poll and last Friday’s by-elections to return to power justified calls for a new strategy and for its current leadership to exit.

The former Minister for Education Sports and Culture in the previous administration and the MP for Sagaga No. 1, Loau Keneti Sio, told the Samoa Observer that the election results this year speaks for itself and “the buck stops with the leaders”. 

“Change is not a bad thing,” said Loau. “For me - to be honest if it happened to me there is nothing else left but to hang my boxing glove and hand it over to someone else to lead.

“We have to be honest with ourselves, the party, supporters and the country that if you were unsuccessful [in leadership] the right thing to do is to hang your boxing gloves.”

After being in power for close to 40 years, new political powerhouse Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) caused an upset in the April election to win 25 seats to tie with the H.R.P.P., and secured a one-seat simple majority to form government when the independent M.P. joined the new party. During last Friday’s six by-elections, only two seats were retained by the former ruling party with four going to the new Government headed by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa.

According to Loau in the interview on Thursday, the outcome from the April election and last Friday’s by-elections is clear that the H.R.P.P. will now have to sit in the opposition bench. 

He then made reference to other democratic countries where the party leader steps down if they failed to win a general election.

“I guess the caucus will also have to consider that after settling down with the aftermath of the by-elections,” he said.

“We only had one caucus meeting [after by-elections] where the financial situation was discussed but the agenda did not include change of leadership. 

“But I think it’s something that needs to be discussed and brought forth in the agenda items. 

“Talking over matters is not a bad thing – it creates thoughts and negotiations on changes where it should head…with all that the buck stops with the leader.” 

Loau was critical of his party, saying the H.R.P.P. needed to re-strategise, and these talks will happen once the party clears issues on possible petition challenges.

He added the current strategy cannot continue the way it is heading if it keeps on losing and it was something that the “senior members” of the party are discussing.

Several other senior M.P.s and party-members, who declined to be named, agreed that the leadership of the party needs to be reconsidered. There were also a number of members who disagreed with the proposition for a change in leadership, saying that the party would collapse if there was a change. 

A former Cabinet Minister and M.P. for Satupaitea, Lautafi Selafi Purcell said he was okay with the current leader, but emphasised the need for the party to “move forward”. 

He said the decision comes down to the caucus “whether we are heading the same direction or change direction”.

“We are okay where we are and there is no voice that says there needs to be change and I'm comfortable with that,” said Lautafi.

“All we wanted to do is settle down and our strategy was to ensure that F.A.S.T. doesn’t reach the 2/3 majority in parliament.

“Right now we are looking forward to carrying out our function as an opposition at the best of our ability.

“We will be developing strategies to keep the Government on its toes everyday…they shouldn’t expect us to go along with things they want.” 

Lautafi expressed confidence that with their 40 years of experience in government, the party understands legislation and policies that should be upheld for transparency and accountability. 

Another senior M.P. in the party and former Cabinet Minister, Tapunuu Niko Lee Hang, said the party has accepted defeat and will honour the decision from the country. 

“If this is the wish of the country to change Government we accept their prayers,” said Tapunuu. 

“Most of those in Government are new and they need our advice but we have also accepted where we are.

“We do plan to discuss a winning strategy because we mistakenly believed that we will remain on the top but it was our mistake that we took it for granted.

“We never knew how strong the new Government’s strategy was when they prepared their campaign.”

Asked about his view on a change of leadership, Tapunuu said that is a collective decision of the party caucus.

He then acknowledged the longevity of former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi’s leadership of the party, saying that he has done a lot of good things for the party and the country. 

“Our belief in leaders stands that they are appointed by God,” he said. 

When Tuilaepa was asked if he would accept such a decision from the party caucus to remove him as the leader, he replied that he would accept it should the party rule on it. 

“That is up to the party,” he said. “I am prepared for it...”

The H.R.P.P. now commands 22 seats in the parliament including the two additional seats for women in the House. The F.A.S.T. party has boosted its elected representatives to 31 following Friday’s by-elections.