A Legislative Assembly providing for representation of nobles and commoners was established in 1862 by King George Tupou I.

Originally the Legislative Assembly consisted of all holders of noble titles, an equal number of people's representatives, the governors for Haʻapai and Vavaʻu, and at least four Cabinet Ministers chosen by the monarch.

[5] In April 2010 the Legislative Assembly enacted a package of political reforms, increasing the number of people's representatives from nine to seventeen,[6] with ten seats for Tongatapu, three for Vavaʻu, two for Haʻapai and one each for Niuas and ʻEua.

[11] A complete list of the Speakers is below:[12] Until 2010, the government was appointed by the monarch without reference to Parliament, and there were no political parties.

Political reform in 2010 saw the Prime Minister elected by Parliament from among its members, leading to responsible government.