PM had tried to resolve issue of dual leadership

On Monday the Prime Minister, Hon Jim Marurai, released to the media a copy of a letter to the Democratic Party Executive in which he appears to lay the blame for the country’s lack of political stability and policy traction at the door of the Democratic Party.
The release of the letter dated 29 August 2009 follows the PM’s receipt of a letter from Party President Makiuti Tongia on 10 March 2010 canceling the PM’s membership of the Democratic Party.
The PM asked in his letter of 29 August for the Democratic Party Executive to have the issue of dual leadership clarified at the Party’s conference in September 2009 (see letter).
This was not granted.
When queried why the letter was only just released now, the PM’s response was that he wanted it known that he had tried to resolve the issue of dual leadership and that he was not the one being obstructive.
PM’s letter
30 August 2009
Karla Eggelton
Secretary
Democratic Party
RAROTONGA
Dear Karla
On behalf of the people of the Constituency of Ivirua, Mangaia, and as Leader of the Democratic Party Government, I wish to request the Party Executive to place on the Agenda of the forthcoming Conference on 15 September, the merging of the positions of the Leader of the Party and the Leadership of the Government, i.e. the role of Prime Minister.
As we are all aware, these two, very important institutions, have been separated since 2002. In the interests of the people of Ivirua, Mangaia, the Executive of the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party itself, the members and supporters of the Democratic Party, and the people of the Cook Islands, I am asking the Executive to place the issue of unifying these roles before the delegates attending the conference.
The General Election of 2010 is little more than one year away, and we need little reminding of the need to establish a clear and concise political strategy to advance our Party objectives. The twelve month timeframe ahead of us is therefore crucial, and I would like to highlight some key aspects for the benefit of informed discussion by the Executive members.
1. Previous General Elections show that the Democratic Party has not performed in a decisive way at the polls. In 1999, even after the economic failures and ‘political suicide’ measures of the CIP-dominated 1990s, the Democratic Party was unable to establish a clear win. The resulting coalition governments speak for themselves although it must be said that overall, the Democratic Party Leadership failed to dominate the electorate. The divisive events of 2002 prevented unification until the Party was faced with disaster at the polls in 2004. Unfortunately, the attempts to merge the Party Leadership with the role of Prime Minister did not succeed in 2004 and the Party once more was forced to concede to a coalition arrangement. The advent of the Snap Election of 2006 revealed further Party Leadership weaknesses and the campaign relied heavily on the Government Leadership. The result of this strategy was the only decisive win the Democratic Party has recorded in recent political history. It is clearly time for the roles of the Leader of the Party and Leader of the Government to be unified.
2. By far, the overwhelming character and achievement of the Government Leadership since 2004 has been stability. As you will recall, the desire for political stability was at the core of the 2006 Snap Election. Our Party, and the people of the Cook Islands, clearly cannot tolerate the type of shenanigans, which have plagued our system over recent years. Five years of stability have endured under the present Government Leadership, despite the sackings of five cabinet ministers and tremendous pressure on the allocation of portfolio responsibilities. To maintain this stability, it is important that the administrative role of Government Leader be merged with the political role of Party Leader.
3. The separation of Party Leadership and Government Leadership is flawed, and in fact, is not peculiar to the Democratic Party. What is evident from our own observation is that whether it is the Democratic Party or Cook Islands Party, this separation of roles is difficult to reconcile in a harmonious way. Whether by design or by nature, the separation of these figureheads is vulnerable to confused responsibilities and mixed perceptions about authority – particularly from the public’s point of view. Bringing the roles together will advance our Party’s objectives and standing in the electorate.
4. In 2006, the Snap Election was the result of destabilising pressures between the two main parties, and the more desirous option of a unified Democratic party. By its very nature, the Snap aspect of the vote did not lend itself to clearly mapped-out plans. The 2006 Manifesto was a hurried composite of priorities, many of which failed to secure traction among the Party members. Political Reform was one such priority, which became a casualty of the separation of Party Leadership and Government Leadership. Fortunately, Political Reform remains a priority for the Government Leadership, and for the electorate, and can be the centre-piece of a fresh campaign on the road to 2010. The unification of the Party Leadership with the Government Leadership will ensure the success of a programme of Political Reform, which is waiting in the wings to be pursued.
5. Leadership of the Party and the Government is a matter of utmost concern given the present political landscape, and outlook for the future. If the Government of the Cook Islands wants to continue to be upheld as a model of democracy in the Pacific Region, be a leading example for sound socio-economic development among Small Islands States, and commit to more progressive initiatives, the time has come for all our political leaders to consider how best their energies can impact upon the lives of our people. We have reached an age where serious consideration should be given to harmonising the Cook Islands Leadership up to and beyond 2010.
These points are presented to you in the spirit with which it is meant – the relatively short road to 2010 and my wish to preserve the integrity of a stable, well-planned political campaign, and the future well-being of the Democratic Party.
Please accept my appreciation for your consideration, and that of the President and members of the Party Executive, in this request of my candidacy for Leader of the Democratic Party.
Yours sincerely

Hon. Jim Marurai
MEMBER FOR IVIRUA

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