Last week when the motion of no confidence was moved in parliament, the nation was given a false glimmer of hope when warring factions of the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party came together to defeat the motion and keep Fiame Naomi Mataafa as the government leader.

For a brief moment, people were led to believe that parliamentarians were finally working together for the good of the nation.

This week, the true colours and reasons of the La’auli Leuatea Schmidt-led FAST faction are coming to light. It is now clear that La’auli and his side just wanted to have the numbers to pass the bills they deemed their election promises. One constitutional change has been done and another remains with the Electoral Act.

From what the FAST party said in their press conference, they are implying that their show of togetherness was just a means to an end. Once that is over, they will willingly derail the government because that suits them. There is no real intention in working for the good of the nation but there is intention to only help achieve what suits them.

The FAST party has reached out to the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) to support their vote of no confidence against Fiame, which they say will be this week. Ale Vena Ale, Member of Parliament for Faleata No.4, confirmed on Friday that he has approached certain members of the opposition party regarding the matter.

He explained that when the HRPP initially put forward a motion to oust the Prime Minister, they did discuss with FAST in their efforts. "When the HRPP prepared to have their motion tabled in parliament, they did not reach out to us to support their motion," Ale said. "But now, as we prepare to present our motion in parliament, we are reaching out to them so we can discuss and reach an agreement."

Ale stressed that FAST is open to dialogue with the opposition. Ale further emphasised that the leadership of Prime Minister Fiame was problematic, asserting that her government is operating as a minority administration, describing it as "unlawful".

This is just amazing. When the HRPP filed a case in court and then their motion of no confidence was accepted to be put on the floor, they too did it for the same reason, saying Fiame commanded only a minority and therefore was unconstitutional. After not supporting HRPP’s motion, what makes Ale think that Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi will support their motion? Why didn’t FAST support HRPP last week, if they want to remove Fiame?

Is Ale suggesting that Tuilaepa and Laauli have buried the hatchet and are willing to agree on something? After the changes in the laws being discussed in parliament, the national budget has to be passed. That is just over three months away. Once the budget is passed, then there will only be six months or so for the dissolution of parliament and election campaigns to start.

This is a clear indication of why some politicians enter politics, only to help their cause and not the cause of the people who voted them in. This may be a bitter pill to swallow but this is the truth about politics and politicians in Samoa. Most elected officials in this nation think their electorates are there to serve them when it is the other way around.

The latest call by FAST for a motion of no confidence is nothing but a promotional campaign to keep their supporters happy. The fact is that most parliamentarians want to stay on until the general election. This gives them a steady flow of income and they have the district development grant at their disposal which can be used as a campaign tool. It will come as no surprise if every household will receive vouchers in the name of development coming from the $1 million grant.

The fact which continues to be distorted is that Fiame cannot be removed and will remain as prime minister until a vote of no confidence is passed. Even then, the Constitution allows her to advise the Head of State and dissolve government. Fiame and her cabinet can remain as the caretaker government until the elections.

Neither FAST nor HRPP are ready for elections.