Support for conference rising

Assistant President of the Democratic Party Sean Willis says there is now majority support from the constituencies for a meeting.
Willis told the Times on Friday afternoon that 15 punas have expressed their support for a meeting, one more than on Thursday. By Monday Willis expects two thirds to indicate their support.
Willis said yesterday Robert Wigmore and Cassey Eggelton delivered a letter to a meeting of the Democratic Party caucus being held at Ngamau Monokoa’s home. The letter requested as per the earlier letter, that a conference was going to be called and a reply in writing was sought as to the preferred date. Willis said as he was driving past the Office of the Opposition later that day he saw Sir Terepai and Vavia entering the Opposition Office.
Willis said if no answer is received by lunchtime next Monday, he will be placing a notice in the papers naming 31 May as a date.
He said a venue was still being arranged however an agenda has been drafted. Of interest is that the election of office bearers is included as is the election of party leader and deputy party leader.
Willis adds that the punas are saying a conference is the only way to sort out the current problems. He said punas are concerned at the lack of direction, misinformation about some of the issues and they did not realize Sir Terepai had been talking to the Cook Islands Party.
As to the central executive intention to seek an injunction against the group using the Democratic party name, Willis says, “Bring it on!”
Willis says it shows the executive has lost the plot. They are letting personal issues cloud their judgement as to what is best for the party and supporters. He says the executive want to impose their views.
Willis explained the conference was aimed at bringing the factions together and that this needs to be done sooner not later.

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