The Bermudian people. Including – in particular – my constituents here in Smith’s West, Constituency 9.
For more than a decade, I have proudly served the people of Smith’s West. First, as a candidate in the 2012 election. And then again in 2017.
And eventually, after the 2020 election, serving you for some four years as your Member of Parliament.
It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve you. To work for your interests. To listen to your concerns. To help you solve problems.
When I was first introduced as a candidate in 2011, I did so as a concerned father.
A concerned father wanting to see a better Bermuda, not only for my kids, but for the next generation of all Bermudians.
It’s simple: our children are Bermuda’s future. Our children must make their way in the world that we leave behind.
So I entered politics because I wanted that “Future Bermuda” to be better for all our children.
And I wanted to be part of a team to deliver that better future.
In 2011, I believed that team to be the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party
2011 seems a very long time ago, and, when you include my time as a Central Committee Representative and a Delegate I have actively served for approximately fourteen years. That experience has presented me with much to evaluate.
Sadly today – in 2024 – in assessing the years between 2011 and now, the conclusion that I kept coming to was that the political party that I joined many years ago – the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party – no longer presents the best option for securing a better future for Bermuda.
I can no longer visit my constituents’ homes and say to you, in all honesty, that I still have faith in the PLP. I can no longer ask you, my constituents, to support me as a member of the PLP.
In politics, there are some who put their own personal agenda before our Country.
They place the interests of the individual before the interests of the Island.
That is not who I am. Not at all.
I have always believed we are our brother’s keeper. We are here to help others.
When called upon to serve, I believe that we must always put the interests of our people first.
And for these reasons, I have this morning resigned as a member of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party.
My belief in service carries with it a desire to work together with people who strive to improve the lives of others. And in today’s Bermuda, I believe we must call upon the talents of everyone.
As an Island, we must come together and unite to solve our problems.
That is who I am. That is who I will continue to be.
And so today I am joining the One Bermuda Alliance.
Bermudians may wish to know how I reached my decision.
So let me answer some questions that may be asked. Because I want my constituents in Smith’s West to understand how my conscience has led me here.
Let me share a few thoughts about my decision.
First, I have been considering this move for some time. This is not a snap decision.
Second, I could have remained a Minister or a Member of Parliament and simply collected a salary. That is not who I am. To me, this is a question of my personal integrity.
Third, you may ask me – why not just quit?
Well I have been in politics – in one capacity or another – for 13 or 14 years now. Sure, I could have just walked away from politics altogether.
But my work is not yet finished.
To me, this job must be about providing people with better outcomes. It’s about delivering results. Making things better.
There is still much more work to be done to improve the lives of everyone on this Island.
Finally, let me share why I decided to join the OBA.
It may seem odd for any politician to resign from Cabinet. And then to resign from the larger governing party, in order to join a smaller opposition party.
When I survey the political landscape the only viable option I see to continue my work is the One Bermuda Alliance.
My plan is to add my shoulder to their efforts – now our efforts. And when I commit to things, I do so 100%.
To me, the OBA is the party with a shared vision for a better future. The team with the desire to make the changes we need. And the team with the ability to get things done.
Make no mistake, restoring hope for Bermuda will require some very difficult decisions. Providing a platform for the success of our children will mean hard work.
Hollow promises are nothing. We need action. And if – like me – you believe in results, it makes sense to identify who can actually deliver them.
Today I am joining the team at the One Bermuda Alliance. And I am doing so because – in my heart – I believe the OBA is the best team to tackle the problems all of us face.
Bermuda needs bold leaders who will work hard to get the job done…and I have decided to become a part of that effort.
To all of you who have voted for me to serve you in Smith’s West, I thank you with all my heart.
Please know that I am still the same person you voted for. I will continue to work hard and serve you with integrity.
And to those who did not vote for me in past elections, please know that I shall continue to work hard for you as well. And, perhaps in time, I may come to earn your support.
Let me conclude with this. Politics requires courage. It requires the courage of your convictions, and it requires personal courage.
I hope people will see me taking this bold step and say: perhaps things do not have to be this way. Perhaps we can change for the better.
If we can put aside our differences – and work together with those who share our vision of a better Bermuda – then things will get better.
I welcome the opportunity to work with my new OBA colleagues to make this vision a reality. So that we actually leave Bermuda better than we found it. So that our children have a chance at a better life.
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