The 2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly was established following the 2010 elections, the first under a new system which saw the majority of seats elected by universal suffrage. The Taimi Media Network described it as "Tonga's first democratically elected Parliament"., Taimi Media Network, 9 June 2011
The Speaker of the 2010 Assembly was Lord Lasike, until he lost his seat in Parliament on 18 July 2012, following conviction for illicit ammunitions ownership. He was replaced as Speaker by Lord Fakafanua. The Deputy Speaker was initially Lord Tuʻiʻafitu, until he was appointed Minister for Health on 2 July 2012, whereupon he was replaced by Lord Tu'iha'teiho."Former Deputy Speaker appointed as Minister for Health" , Office of the Prime Minister of Tonga, 2 July 2012
Initial party standings
Members
Initial MPs NamePartyElectorateTermʻAkilisi PohivaDPFITongatapu 1NinthSemisi Kioa Lafu SikaDPFITongatapu 2FirstSitiveni HalapuaDPFITongatapu 3First'Isileli PuluDPFITongatapu 4Fourth'Aisake Valu EkeIndependentTongatapu 5FirstSiosifa Tu'itupou Tu'utafaivaDPFITongatapu 6FirstSione Sangster SaulalaDPFITongatapu 7FirstP. Sione Havea TaioneDPFITongatapu 8FirstKaveinga FaʻanunuDPFITongatapu 9FirstSemisi Palu ‘Ifoni TapuelueluDPFITongatapu 10FirstSunia FiliIndependentʻEua 11FifthMoʻale FinauDPFIHaʻapai 12FirstʻUliti UataDPFIHaʻapai 13EighthLisiate ʻAkoloIndependentVavaʻu 14ThirdSamiu VaipuluIndependentVavaʻu 15SeventhViliami Uasike LatuIndependentVavaʻu 16FirstSosefo Feʻaomoeata VakataDPFIOngo Niua 17FirstHon. TuʻivakanōIndependentTongatapu Noble 1SixthHon. MaʻafuIndependentTongatapu Noble 2SecondHon. VaeaIndependentTongatapu Noble 3FirstHon. TuʻilakepaIndependentVavaʻu Noble 2FourthHon. Tu'i'afituIndependentVavaʻu Noble 1FirstHon. LasikeIndependentʻEua NobleThirdHon. Fusitu'aIndependentNiuas NobleFirst?Hon. Tu'iha'teihoIndependentHaʻapai Noble 1ThirdHon. FakafanuaIndependentHaʻapai Noble 2Second
Summary of changes On 8 December 2010, Sosefo Vakata, People's Representative for Ongo Niua 17, left the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, to sit as an independent."Hon. Fe'ao Vakata, Youth, Sports & Training Minister" , Tongan government portal, 17 January 2011 On 24 July 2011, Kaveinga Faʻanunu, People's Representative for Tongatapu 9, a first term MP from the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, died of cancer. A by-election for Tongatapu 9 was held on 15 September 2011, and the seat was retained by the Democratic Party, through its candidate Falisi Tupou."Falisi Tupou new Tongatapu 9 PR", Matangi Tonga, 15 September 2011, ABC Radio Australia, 15 September 2011 On 18 July 2012, Lord Lasike, Nobles' Representative for ʻEua and Speaker of the Assembly, lost his seat by order of the King in application of the Constitution, following his conviction in court for illegal possession of firearms munitions."Tonga Speaker barred from Parliament following conviction", Radio New Zealand International, 18 July 2012"Lasike loses his job in parliament", Matangi Tonga, 18 July 2012 He was replaced by Lord Nuku in a by-election on 2 August. Lord Fusituaʻa, Nobles' Representative for the Niuas, died on 24 April 2014. His son Mataʻiʻulua ʻi Fonuamotu inherited his title on 6 May. The new Lord Fusituaʻa won his father's seat in Parliament through a by-election on 22 May."Lord Fusitu'a takes father's seat", Matangi Tonga, 22 May 2014
References