The newly formed political party in Samoa made up of twelve independent MPs cannot be recognised in Parliament despite having the required numbers under the standing orders to form a party.
That's because the registration of MPs and the formation of a new party can only happen at the completion of a general election, and before a new Parliament is formed and meet for the swearing in of new MPs.
The SDUP leader who is joining the new party, Asiata Sale'imoa Va'ai, says the requirement means they are still be recognised as independent MPs in the house.
However he says it's a move is to let the public know they are standing together to form a strong opposition party ahead of the 2011 general election campaign.
