Editorial: King must bow to democracy

The passing of a much-revered leader often represents a watershed in a nation's history. Yugoslavia could not survive Tito, and Cuba will be a much different country after Castro dies. Such also will be the case in Tonga following the death of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, who had ruled the island group for 41 years. The esteem in which he was held effectively imposed a low ceiling on calls for democratic reform. Now, the period of uncertainty that will follow his death can lead only to the certainty of eventual change.

Perhaps King Tupou's finest legacy is that, after years of dismissing calls for democracy, he finally laid some of the groundwork for a transformation based on evolution, not revolution. Always a benign figure who ruled with a gentle hand, he seemed, near the end of his life, to recognise that a monarchy whose near absolutist rule includes control of the Parliament and appointing the Cabinet and Prime Minister would have to bend. In sum, a more limited, consultative role would have to be accepted if the monarchy was not to be swept aside.

Thus, over the past year or so, reform has been instigated, and a platform for debating the process established. Some people's representatives were appointed to the Cabinet, and a pro-democracy leader replaced the King's youngest son as Prime Minister. Two national committees were also set up, one of which has just reported back after consulting Tongans on what future political system they would prefer. It was hugely unfortunate that King Tupou's nephew, Prince Tu'ipelehake, who originally chaired that committee, was killed in a car crash near San Francisco in July.

He had earned the title of the "People's Prince" by vigorously defending freedom of speech and leading striking civil servants and supporters to present a petition seeking political reform to the King. In effect, he had become the bridge between Tonga's pro-democracy movement and the royal family. His importance was magnified by the fact that the King's oldest son and heir, Crown Prince Tupouto'a, is distant from Tongans and engenders little reverence. The new King's stranglehold over some of the country's biggest businesses and a lavish lifestyle have fostered an undercurrent of resentment. Indeed, electricity costs imposed by a company part-owned by him were the catalyst for a large-scale protest march in Nuku'alofa last year.

Crown Prince Tupouto'a, a 58-year-old bachelor, has professed his support for change. He will need to be as good as his word. He does not possess the security blanket of reverence that cloaked King Tupou. Without that, he is even more hostage to the forces of reform instigated, somewhat ironically, by the late monarch throughout his lengthy reign. King Tupou, whatever his eccentricities, did much to modernise Tonga and to improve education, especially, healthcare and infrastructure. It is the emerging class of educated Tongans that now challenges the country's governing structure.

Monarchy and the process of modernisation are, of course, largely inimical. Historically, only the most astute of ruling families have been able to steer a course that saw their prestige and position preserved while political power was being ceded.

Even if, belatedly, King Tupou began to tread that path in a promising manner, the reservoir of respect for him dictated that, whatever the demand for constitutional reform, there was little support for abolition of the monarchy. His successor, working from a diminished well of respect, has little such luxury. Therefore, he must be even more enlightened. If he does not heed the democratic urge, the sun might be about to set on Tonga's monarchy.