Marurai continued to govern with the help of the CIP. Later, however, the agreement with the CIP broke down, and Marurai allied himself with the Democrats again. He has since rejoined the party, continuing to serve as Prime Minister but not party leader. Terepai Maoate became deputy prime minister and party leader. At the 2006 elections, the Democratic Party gained a majority of seats, winning 15 of the 24 seats. 2010 election campaign The party suffered from internal strife in the leadup to the 2010 election. In December 2009, Prime Minister Jim Marurai sacked his Deputy Prime Minister, Terepai Maoate, sparking a mass-resignation of Democratic Party cabinet members He and new Deputy Prime Minister Robert Wigmore were subsequently expelled from the Democratic Party, and the party withdrew its support. A formal split was averted in June 2010 when a party conference readmitted Marurai, Wigmore, and the other Cabinet members, and appointed Wigmore as party leader, with Wilkie Rasmussen as his deputy. However, several senior MPs, including former leader Terepai Maoate and former President John Tangi subsequently failed to win reselection and ran as independents. The party launched its campaign on 7 October in vaka Takitumu with the campaign slogan "Our Future. Now." The party promised stability, benefit increases, and public service cuts. It contested every electorate except Arutanga-Nikaupara-Reureu. The party was unsuccessful in the elections, winning only 8 of 24 seats. After the death of Robert Wigmore from cancer in April 2012 Wilkie Rasmussen was appointed acting leader. His leadership of the party was confirmed at the party's annual conference in August 2012. Electoral performance Legislative Assembly Leaders Tom Davis (1971–1987) Pupuke Robati (1987–1991) Terepai Maoate (1991 – 21 November 2003) Robert Woonton (21 November 2003 – 10 May 2004) Terepai Maoate (10 May 2004 – 3 June 2010) Robert Wigmore (3 June 2010 – 13 April 2012) Wilkie Rasmussen (14 April 2012 – 9 April 2015) William (Smiley) Heather (16 April 2015 – 13 April 2017) Tina Browne (13 April 2017 – present) Party presidents Makiuti Tongia (until 3 June 2010) Sean Willis (3 June 2010 – present) References Political parties in the Cook Islands Liberal parties in Oceania Political parties established in 1971 Main