Umi for Change Party
{{Short description|Political party in the Solomon Islands}}
The Umi for Change Party (U4C) is a political party in the Solomon Islands. The party was founded in 2022 by Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani.{{cite news |last1=Waikori |first1=Samie |date=10 October 2022 |title=Premier Suidani forms new political party |url=https://theislandsun.com.sb/premier-suidani-forms-new-political-party/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602110104/https://theislandsun.com.sb/premier-suidani-forms-new-political-party/ |archive-date=2 June 2023 |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=The Island Sun |location=Auki}}
History
Suidani, a vocal critic of the Sogavare government's switch of diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China and its expansion of ties with the latter, was ousted as premier in 2023 after losing a no-confidence vote, allegedly due to his opposition to the switch.{{cite news |last1=Brennan |first1=Dechlan |date=23 February 2023 |title=Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani Ousted in Solomon Islands |url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/02/malaita-premier-daniel-suidani-ousted-in-solomon-islands/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123125254/https://thediplomat.com/2023/02/malaita-premier-daniel-suidani-ousted-in-solomon-islands/ |archive-date=23 November 2023 |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=The Diplomat}} Suidani explained that U4C is a successor to the Malaita Alliance for Rural Advancement government, which he led as premier of Malaita.{{cite news |last1=Palmer |first1=Ednal |date=30 January 2024 |title=U4C Launches Election Manifesto, Promotes MARA's Restorative Policy |url=https://indepthsolomons.com.sb/u4c-launches-election-manifesto-promotes-maras-restorative-policy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130035156/https://indepthsolomons.com.sb/u4c-launches-election-manifesto-promotes-maras-restorative-policy/ |archive-date=30 January 2024 |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=In-depth Solomons |location=Auki}}{{cite news |last1=Lofana |first1=Solomon |date=22 August 2022 |title=Suidani: Malaita to complete 18 PCDF projects |url=https://www.solomonstarnews.com/suidani-malaita-to-complete-18-pcdf-projects/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203070635/https://www.solomonstarnews.com/suidani-malaita-to-complete-18-pcdf-projects/ |archive-date=3 December 2022 |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=Solomon Star |location=Auki}} The Political Parties Commission approved U4C's registration on 9 January 2024; the party subsequently launched a manifesto.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-17 |title=Political Parties Launch Campaigns for Solomon Islands' General Elections {{!}} Atlas News |url=https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/02/17/political-parties-launch-campaigns-for-solomon-islands-general-elections/ |access-date=2024-04-24 |language=en-US}} One of U4C's key policies included revoking the absolute legal immunity that public officials enjoy. Suidani said this policy was necessary, citing numerous officials allegedly "hiding behind the law" and "making reckless decisions on behalf of the state." The party also pledged to address gender inequality and focus on youth-related issues;{{cite news |last1=Lofana |first1=Solomon |date=3 February 2024 |title=Suidani's Party stand to remove public officers immunity |url=https://www.solomonstarnews.com/suidanis-party-stand-to-remove-public-officers-immunity/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209021840/https://www.solomonstarnews.com/suidanis-party-stand-to-remove-public-officers-immunity/ |archive-date=9 February 2024 |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=Solomon Star |location=Auki}} U4C aimed to establish an education program on employment to decrease youth unemployment.{{cite news |last1=Lofana |first1=Solomon |date=12 February 2024 |title=U4C aims to build on existing inclusive education policy to be more embracing |url=https://www.solomonstarnews.com/u4c-aims-to-build-on-existing-inclusive-education-policy-to-be-more-embracing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214021408/https://www.solomonstarnews.com/u4c-aims-to-build-on-existing-inclusive-education-policy-to-be-more-embracing/ |archive-date=14 February 2024 |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=Solomon Star |location=Auki}} In the election, 2024 Solomon Islands general election, the party won over 10,000 votes and 3% of the national vote share, with one candidate elected to Parliament; Suilea Waneoroa in North Malaita.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-19 |title=North Malaita voters usher in new MP; West Kwara'ae re-elects Tuasulia |url=https://indepthsolomons.com.sb/north-malaita-voters-usher-in-new-mp-west-kwaraae-re-elects-tuasulia/ |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=In-depth Solomons |language=en-US}}
Leaders
The party has the following leadership:{{Cite web |last=Toito'ona |first=Ronald |date=2024-01-30 |title=U4C Launches Election Manifesto, Promotes MARA's Restorative Policy |url=https://indepthsolomons.com.sb/u4c-launches-election-manifesto-promotes-maras-restorative-policy/ |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=In-depth Solomons |language=en-US}}
- Party Vice President: Wendy Vahoe
- Secretary: Celsius Talifilu
Policies
The party supports private sector.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-01-31 |title=U4C to encourage growth of private sector |url=https://www.solomonstarnews.com/u4c-to-encourage-growth-of-private-sector/ |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=Solomon Star News |language=en-US}} They pledge the removing of public officers immunity.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-03 |title=Suidani's Party stand to remove public officers immunity |url=https://www.solomonstarnews.com/suidanis-party-stand-to-remove-public-officers-immunity/ |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=Solomon Star News |language=en-US}}
Election results
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Election !Votes ! % !Seats !+/– !Government |
| 2024
|10,388 |3.00 (#1) |{{Composition bar|1|50|hex=#0FF643}} |New |{{TBA}} |
|---|
References
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