PM easily tops standings as political leaders are rated
P rime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama scores 10 out of 10 in a political leaders rating, two weeks away from polling day.
The rating is based on their performance since the 2014 General Election. It includes their current election campaign.
10. Prime Minister and FijiFirst leader Voreqe Bainimarama
Despite what his critics say he has delivered on what he promised in the 2014 General Election. The FijiFirst Government initiatives have been unprecedented. They include:
• Education. Free school fees and bus fares. Assistance to schools across the country.
• Increase in social welfare benefits
• Infrastructure. Better roads, bridges, jetties health,
• More housing
• $1000 Grant for small business ventures
• Development grant for iTaukei landowners
• Subsidy and other assistance for cane farmers.
The list goes on. He has shown strong and decisive leadership. It has provided stability and confidence, acting as a catalyst for nine consecutive years of economic growth. He has been dubbed the people’s PM because he goes right down to the grassroots people to hear their plight in the talanoa sessions which he introduced.
Internationally, he has lifted Fiji’s profile to a whole new level, spearheaded by his COP23 presidency and co-lead role in the World Ocean Conference.
6. Ro Teimumu Kepa, Opposition leader She has bounced back in a significant way after what she has been through internally in SODELPA. She was vilified in the controversial Gaunavinaka Report and criticised for her political overtures to the National Federation Party and her unilateral decision to embrace Fijian as the common name. She was supposed to retire from politics but heeded the call of her vanua in her capacity as the Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi (paramount chief of Rewa and Burebasaga) to stand in this election.
Her subjects feel she has unfinished business to deal with.
As Opposition leader she has conducted herself in an impressive manner befitting the position. She has been influential in getting members back into the party who had left in a cloud over the election of Sitiveni Rabuka as party leader.
5. Sitiveni Rabuka (SODELPA leader) and Tupou Draunidalo (HOPE leader) This is an unlikely combination, two leaders who are bitter foes with equal rating. Mr Rabuka’s rating has improved after winning his court case.
But he still faces backlash for carrying out the 1987 military coups despite his apology. Ms Draunidalo has done amazingly well since resigning from the National Federation Party. With meagre resources she has overcome the initial difficulties that included getting the 5000 signatures to get HOPE registered and choosing their candidates. She has punched above her weight, emerging as a leader with strong conviction on what she believes in. She will not compromise her standards and beliefs for the sake of winning votes.
4. Biman Prasad, National Federation Party leader He has lost points for not been forthcoming with details on their policies, particularly on the minimum wage rate. He has been silent on how people in the informal sector will benefit, for example, the market vendors, sugarcane farmers and drivers etc.
3. Savenaca Narube, Unity Fiji leader Mr Narube is probably finding out that being a politician is very different from being head of a financial institution like the Reserve Bank of Fiji.
Unity Fiji has some attractive policies that need proper explanation.
He has two weeks to improve his rating.
2. Aman Ravindra Singh, Fiji Labour Party parliamentary leader.
He is in the unenviable position of playing second fiddle to party leader Mahendra Chaudhry. He cannot go full steam ahead because Mr Chaudhry is still party leader. He would be in a better position if Mr Chaudhry finally hands over the reins.