Rural and Urban Political Party

Reform Democratic Party
LeaderSamuel Manetoali
FoundedJune 2010
Split fromSolomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement

The Rural and Urban Political Party was a political party in Solomon Islands which contested the 2010 general election.

The party was founded in June 2010 by MP Samuel Manetoali as a split-away from the Party for Rural Advancement.[1] The party's stated policy priorities were economic growth and security.[2] Manetoali called for small business centres to be set up all over the country, along with appropriate infrastructure, to enable local people's participation in business, and stimulate growth.[3]

Manetoali was re-elected in his constituency of Gao-Bugotu, but no other candidate from the party obtained a seat.[4][5] Manetoali then supported Danny Philip's successful bid for the premiership, and obtained the position of Minister for Tourism and Culture in Philip's Cabinet.[6]

The party contested no other elections and Manetoali himself would run as an independent in 2014.

  1. ^ "Rural and Urban Political Party (RUPP)", Pacific Institute of Public Policy, July 26, 2010
  2. ^ "Rural Urban Party launching", Island Sun, June 9, 2010
  3. ^ "New Party Promises Economic Centres", Solomon Times, June 14, 2010
  4. ^ 2010 election data, Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation
  5. ^ "Alphabetical Listing of Members of the 9th Parliament", National Parliament of Solomon Islands
  6. ^ Cabinet of Solomon Islands Archived 2011-05-14 at the Wayback Machine, CIA