Danny Philip (born 5 August 1953) is a politician and

diplomat A diplomat (from ; romanization, romanized ''diploma'') is a person appointed by a state (polity), state, International organization, intergovernmental, or Non-governmental organization, nongovernmental institution to conduct diplomacy with one ...

from the

Solomon Islands Solomon Islands, also known simply as the Solomons,John Prados, ''Islands of Destiny'', Dutton Caliber, 2012, p,20 and passim is an island country consisting of six major islands and over 1000 smaller islands in Melanesia, part of Oceania, t ...

. He was the

prime minister of Solomon Islands The prime minister of Solomon Islands is Solomon Islands' head of government, as elected by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, National Parliament. Since May 2024 Jeremiah Manele has been the prime minister of Solomon Islands. Solomon ...

from 2010 to 2011. Previously he served as the

minister of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the ministry of foreign affairs (abbreviated as MFA or MOFA) is the highest government department exclusively or primarily responsible for the state's foreign policy and foreign relations, relations, diplomacy, bilateralism, ...

from 1995 to 1996 and from July 2000 to June 2001. He was the leader of the People's Progressive Party from 1997 to 2000, then founded the Reform Democratic Party, of which he was the leader when elected Prime Minister."Party vows to reform constitution"
, ''Island Sun'', 12 July 2010

Personal life

Danny Philip was born on 5 August 1953. His mother, who suffered from

poliomyelitis Poliomyelitis ( ), commonly shortened to polio, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. Approximately 75% of cases are asymptomatic; mild symptoms which can occur include sore throat and fever; in a proportion of cases more severe ...

, died just two days after his birth. Philip has been an English teacher and

linguist Linguistics is the scientific study of language. The areas of linguistic analysis are syntax (rules governing the structure of sentences), semantics (meaning), Morphology (linguistics), morphology (structure of words), phonetics (speech sounds ...

by profession. He is from the town of Lokuru, which is located on

Rendova Island Rendova is an island in Western Province (Solomon Islands), Western Province, in the independent nation of Solomon Islands, in the Pacific Ocean, South Pacific, east of Papua New Guinea. Geography Rendova Island is a roughly rectangular island, ...

, Western Province. Philip is married to his current wife, Margaret Philip. He has two former wives from previous marriages.

Political career

Philip previously served four terms in the National Parliament of Solomon Islands between 1984 and 2001. He represented the Vona Vona-Rendova-Tetepare constituency from 1984 until 1993. Philip was then elected as the MP from the South New Georgia-Rendova-Tetepare constituency from 1994 until 2001. Philip served as the Solomon Islands'

Foreign Minister In many countries, the ministry of foreign affairs (abbreviated as MFA or MOFA) is the highest government department exclusively or primarily responsible for the state's foreign policy and relations, diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral r ...

for two tenures, from 1995 to 1996 and again from July 2000 to June 2001. Philip is currently the Member of Parliament representing South New Georgia-Rendova-Tetepare as of 2019.

Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands

Philip was narrowly elected the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands on 24 August 2010, following the 2010 general election. Philip and his supporters, who constituted the so-called "Pacific Casino camp," narrowly defeated Steve Abana, the leader of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party, by just three votes: Philip received 26 votes while Abana garnered 23. He replaced caretaker Prime Minister Derek Sikua. In a victory speech following the Prime Minister election, Philip stated that his first priority would be to form a new government. He said his government would actively support the country's Constitutional Reform process. This was one of his central campaign pledges, and the reason for creating the Reform Democratic Party. Upon naming his Cabinet, he appointed

Manasseh Maelanga Manasseh Maelanga (born March 25, 1970) is a member of the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands. He represents East Malaita constituency. In May 2009, he was named Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening in Pr ...

as his deputy. On 11 November 2011, after the defection of five ministers and seven

backbencher In Westminster system, Westminster and other parliamentary systems, a backbencher is a member of parliament (MP) or a legislator who occupies no Minister (government), governmental office and is not a Frontbencher, frontbench spokesperson ...

s to the Opposition, Philip resigned rather than face a motion of no confidence. He led an interim government until Parliament elected a new Prime Minister on 16 November."Solomons MPs to elect new prime minister on Wednesday"
Radio New Zealand International, 11 November 2011 Gordon Darcy Lilo, a member of Philip's National Coalition for Reform and Advancement, was elected as his successor on 16 November. Philip elected to remain in parliament as a

after leaving the Prime Minister's office.

References

External links

Solomon Star: Philip lays bare policies on major issuesSolomon Islands Prime Ministerial contenders named
from RNZI
PM Philip Hails New Zealand's Assistance ProgramsSolomons PM Danny Philip resigns – report
{{DEFAULTSORT:Philip, Danny 1953 births Ministers of foreign affairs of the Solomon Islands Living people People from the Western Province (Solomon Islands) People's Progressive Party (Solomon Islands) politicians Prime ministers of the Solomon Islands Solomon Islands diplomats Solomon Islands educators Members of the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands Victoria University of Wellington alumni Forestry ministers of the Solomon Islands