Tonga's prime minister spent yesterday defending his 19 month old government which is facing the prospect of a vote of no confidence.
The Opposition has been trying to hold a vote to remove Lord Tu'ivakano's government for more than a month.
Don Wiseman has more details:
"The Prime Minister yesterday began reading a long letter disputing opposition claims the government has lost the trust of the people, is unstable and has failed to lead the country's development. He dismissed the allegations, saying his government has been doing all it can to deal with issues and to improve living standards. He named the various development projects advanced under its watch, including the solar power scheme which is to be opened today by King Tupou the 6th and the New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Murray McCully. New Zealand funded the project. Parliament is not sitting today but the Prime Minister's defence is expected to continue on Wednesday. Meanwhile Tonga's nobles are to hold a by-election in Eua on Thursday week to find a replacement for Lord Lasike, who lost his seat in Parliament last week after being convicted of a criminal offence."
