section_path: Background
section_name: Background
paragraph_text: Background
  
  The 2021 elections saw independent candidates win 12 seats and the People's Progressive Movement (PPM) win seven. A government was formed by independent Wayne Panton, who became Premier. In November 2023, twelve MPs joined the new United People's Movement (UPM), with its leader Julianna O'Connor-Connolly becoming Premier. On 31 October 2024, four UPM MPs resigned from government, resulting in it losing its majority in parliament. In February and March 2025, three of seven members of the minority UPM government including O'Connor-Connolly joined PPM to seek re-election.