The new Leader of the Opposition, Ben Smith, has been a constant and active voice on behalf of the One Bermuda Alliance.

In the past eight years, Mr Smith has been an MP for two constituencies, represented the Opposition in the Senate and acted as shadow minister of several portfolios, all while climbing his way up to party leadership.

During a previous bid for the top job, he said: “My time attending Port Royal Primary, The Berkeley Institute and Saltus Grammar School moulded me, but the experience I have with sport and building teams is what I will rely on most and puts me in the best position when running for leader.”

He was elected MP for Southampton West Central in the 2017 General Election after defeating Crystal Caesar, of the Progressive Labour Party, by 506-to-457 votes.

After Ms Caesar unseated him in the 2020 General Election, he was appointed Senate Opposition leader and was Shadow Minister of Education and Sport.

He returned to the House of Assembly in 2023 when he won a by-election in Smith’s South, and retained the OBA stronghold in the February 2025 General Election.

Mr Smith has also held the portfolios of National Security and the Cabinet Office.

He was chosen as deputy OBA leader that same year after defeating Susan Jackson when the role was left vacant after Jarion Richardson was elected leader of the party.

Mr Smith threw his hat into the ring for the top post last year after Mr Richardson announced on July 20 that he intended to step down by the end of the summer.

As a candidate for leader, Mr Smith insisted on the importance of transparency, accountability and generating results so as to maintain public trust.

He pledged regular public reporting, open forums with constituents and clear policy timelines.

He said at the time of his campaign: “Leadership involves a lot of things, from holding the Government to account to making sure the party gets stronger and continues to grow.”

Mr Smith had the public backing of several former and present OBA members, including former deputy leader Leah Scott, former premier Michael Dunkley and Shadow Minister of Finance Douglas De Couto.

However, when OBA MPs and members took to the voting booth in September 6, the majority selected newcomer Robert King as Opposition leader and head of the party.

Scott Pearman, the Shadow Minister of Justice, who had been Mr Smith’s running-mate, was chosen as the OBA’s deputy leader over Michael Fahy, the Shadow Minister of Home Affairs.

Mr Smith has spoken out on issues such as school management and violence, particularly against young people.

He has been critical of the handling of education reform and called for a pause on restructuring and an independent Education Authority.

Emphasising the impact it could have on Bermuda’s youth, he said: “Our children deserve more than promises. They deserve delivery. And Bermuda deserves an education system that builds confidence, trust and excellence from the first day of term to the last.”

Mr Smith has previously taken aim at problems such as crime, the cost of living and immigration, particularly with regard to its effect on the population.

Outside his political responsibilities, he is the national swimming coach and co-owns the restaurant Nonna’s Kitchen on Bermudiana Road, Hamilton, with his wife.