 At the 1985 election the party won only 15 of 47 seats, but was able to form a coalition government in December 1985 after 11 Human Rights Protection Party MPs crossed the floor to vote against the budget of then-Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana.Va'ai Kolone became Prime Minister.While apparently retaining a majority after the 1988 election, the party lost power after the defection of Tanuvasa Livigisitone to the HRPP.