New MP Christopher Famous has vowed to build trust with the people after his shock General Election victory over Bob Richards.

Mr Famous stressed the importance of listening to the needs of the community as he reflected on his 94-vote victory in Devonshire East, which had been considered a reasonably safe One Bermuda Alliance seat.

He told The Royal Gazette yesterday: “We all have to consider the needs of the people. Everybody thinks that the black people will vote for the black party or white people for the white party, but we need to move beyond that.”

Speaking of his canvassing efforts, Mr Famous said: “There’s no real rocket science to it — sometimes you just have to go back three or four times to the same house.

“It may seem simplistic, but it’s important to reach out to the community and build trust, and that’s for any party.”

Mr Richards, an MP since 2007 was the high-profile deputy premier and finance minister throughout the OBA’s 4½-year term and a former United Bermuda Party senator, while Mr Famous was a first-time election candidate.

Yet as the votes came in on Tuesday night it quickly became apparent a surprise was on the cards.

Mr Famous recalled the moment he felt he had reached “a point of no return” after the third count — noting Mr Richards congratulated him on his seat before the count had even finished.

As a new MP, he said he planned to connect more with his constituents, particularly those who did not vote for him in the hope of understanding what he can do for them.

He said: “If the people hold the government accountable then they will be responsible with their actions.”

He hopes to one day build a small community centre in the empty space left over from the old recycling plant, which he believes could help build bridges between different groups within the community.