At the end of August 2006, the party announced it had a new leader, Asiata Sale'imoa Va'ai.
The long-standing former leader, Le Mamea Ropati, had disputed the change of leadership.
[1] Following the departure of Ropati and his deputy Sililoto Tolo Tuaifaiva, the party dropped to seven MPs, and ceased to be recognised in the House.
[3] In the interim, the party's deputy leader, Aeau Peniamina Le'avai, resigned,[4] while another MP, Sililoto Tolo Tua'ifaiva, died.
In September 2010, the leaders of the SDUP, including Le Mamea Ropati, Tuia Paepae Letoa and Mulipola Oliva asked to run as HRPP candidates.