IN a bold speech delivered at a campaign event over the weekend, Solomon Islands United Party (UP) candidate for East Honiara Constituency Morris To’iraena made a bold statement to the voters in east Honiara: “Today you prove to me that we need change.”
Morris, a political contender contesting for a seat in the Solomon Islands national parliament, spoke passionately about the need for reform and spoke directly to the voters in East Honiara Constituency, challenging them to take action to bring about change.
“This is not the time for complacency,” Morris declared at his campaign launch held at the multipurpose hall at the new futsal court on Sunday, March 17. “We are facing unprecedented challenges, and it is up to all of us to come together and demand better from our leaders.”
As the election draws nearer to April 17, Morris’s message of change is resonating with voters who are hungry for a different kind of leadership. Whether or not he is successful in his bid for parliament, it is clear that his call for change has struck a chord with many east Honiara residents who are ready for a new direction.
The UP’s economic policy focuses primarily on reducing the unemployment rate with the creation of 10,000 new jobs by 2027 in agriculture, fisheries, culture, tourism, timber products, construction, manufacturing, and labor mobility.
Other focus areas under their economic policy are to continue with the taxation reforms that encourage private sector growth by 2026, ensure foreign direct investment in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and manufacturing, attract 20 new genuine investors by 2027, encourage downstream processing of products for export, improve the ease of doing business in the Solomon Islands, and address high fuel and energy costs.
Morris said that in order for change to happen, it has to be within an individual.
“It has to start with you and me. You and I need to change before we can change the round house. So change will become within you,” he said.
The candidate describes the Solomon Islands as a child that is in need of a change.
”45 years ago, a child was born. The child is called Solomon Islands. When the child was born, his father fed him, gave him directions, and provided him with resources to prosper and be well-off. After years, his brothers and uncle of the child asked his father if they could adopt him.
“With a good and loving heart, the father said, Okay, you can take care of our child. However, after they take the child, they set him in a new direction. As the years went by, nothing happened to positively impact the child. The child cannot feed himself, still wears a diaper, and lives dirty.
“Although the child should have been well off with gold and silver, not yet. His uncles, who took care of him, do not realize that the child was naked. His uncles never realize that the child is about to die.
“Today we are forty-five years since independence, yet we still wear diapers. People of east Honiara, it’s now a hard time for this child. Give the child back to the United Party (UP) to feed him, take care of him, and set him in the right directions,’’ he told east Honiara residents.
Morris argued that the only way to do so is to give the child back to the United Party, which owns the child and can properly feed him.
He stressed that nothing is wrong with this child; however, the leadership is wrong.
“We need to have good leaders inside the round house to take back the child who is dying. We need leaders who put people first. Our leaders haven’t seen that our country is dying. We need leaders who can see and recognize that the child is dying. A leader that can dress the child with trousers, a shirt, wealth, and prosperity, ’he said.
He highlighted that the Solomon Islands have been adopted.
“In our country, the child is in the hands of adopters. They don’t care and value his health or even his life. My good people, we only need 50 able men to lead this country—50 able men who fear God to lead the country. To serve God is to serve men,’’ the UP candidate said.
He also acknowledges the responsibility and role women play in society today, including youths and people with disabilities, community leaders, and church leaders.
“For mothering our children, I want to thank you for being our first teacher. I want to thank you for the unwavering love that you bestow on our child and nation, the Solomon Islands,’’ he said.
He said that women are one of the most neglected members of society today.
“You are so vulnerable when it comes to security, violence, peace, oppression, and suppression. This is a sign that our nation, our country, or our child is sick. People with disabilities are the most marginalized. You will be in our hearts if UP is in power.
“Our youth. You are one of those who make up 70% of the population. If the country utilizes and invests in your strengths, the country is already well-off. I want to salute community leaders and church leaders for the work well done in your communities. That is the role of a leader. Thank you very much.
He also thanked public servants, police, teachers, seafarers, nurses, doctors, and administrators for sacrificing their lives for the cause of the people of the Solomon Islands.
“Our vision for east Honiara is to become a role model constituency for the Solomon Islands. We need to work together so that we may change for a purpose. We want to make sure you become an active participant.
“I want to assure you that it’s a time we change, a time to move forward, stay close, and take the interest of Solomon Islanders. What we need now are leaders who put you and me first, true and honest men who will stand up for your rights. Men who fear God,’’ he added.
Morris also thanked the private sector for the role it plays in the nation’s development.
