6 Apr 2012

Ha'apai governor opposes change to election of Tonga nobles

9:50 am on 6 April 2012

The Governor of Ha'apai in Tonga, Lord Tu'i Ha'angana, is opposing calls for the people to elect the nobles' representatives to Parliament.

He has told Radio Tonga that a change in the status quo could cause conflicts between nobility and the people.

The opposition Democracy Party has announced that it plans to introduce legislation to have all the people vote for the nine nobles that sit in parliament, as the next stage in the country's political reforms.

Presently the nine nobles are selected by the 33 noble families.

The Democrats' leader, Akilisi Pohiva, says he's confident they would get the backing of the new King, Tupou VI, while he says the vast majority of people would support the change.