People's Congress Party

The People's Congress Party is a political party in Solomon Islands. It was founded by outgoing deputy Prime Minister Fred Fono during the campaign for the 2010 general election.[1]

Upon first announcing the priorities of the party, Fono stated its focus would be on "anti-corruption measures, such as reforming the controversial rural constituency development funds, and on creating jobs for Solomon Islanders".[2] During the campaign, he said that it would "treat infrastructure as its priority", such as the development of roads in the country.[3] He pointed to his own Central Kwara'ae constituency, arguing that he had achieved an improvement in water supplies and health care services.[4] The party would also "create incentives to stimulate economic activities in the rural areas", with an aim to "double the export of cocoa, copra, fish and sawn timber".[5] On the debate over the possibility of creating reserved seats for women in Parliament, he stated that they were unnecessary, and that parties should, instead, field women candidates so as to bring them into the political mainstream; he pointed out that his party would be fielding six women candidates in the election. However, he said he would support a maximum of four reserved seats, if women standing against men were unsuccessful in the 2010 election.[6][7]

References

1. "Fono aims for top job", Solomon Star, April 15, 2010
2. "Fono aims for top job", Solomon Star, April 15, 2010
3. "PCP focuses on infrastructure", Solomon Star, July 19, 2010
4. "Central Kwara'ae constituency show the way: Fono", Solomon Star, July 19, 2010
5. "Fono wants more economic activities in rural areas", Solomon Star, July 20, 2010
6. "Fono: No need for reserve seats", July 20, 2010
7. "Solomons Minister willing to consider up to four reserved parliamentary seats for women". Radio New Zealand International. July 20, 2010. Retrieved November 2, 2011.