Good morning, Bermuda,

Today, I am announcing my resignation from the One Bermuda Alliance and my decision to sit in the House of Assembly as an independent Member of Parliament.

I did not make this decision lightly.

I entered politics because I believed we could do better. I believed that government should serve people — not parties, personalities, special interests or the status quo.

On May 22, 2024, I was elected to represent the people of Smith’s North in a by-election. On February 18, 2025, you gave me your confidence again. On September 6, 2025, I was given the opportunity to lead the Opposition with a mandate to make our party more proactive, responsive and courageous.

Six months later, I was removed as leader.

I have spent the months since then trying to reconcile differences and continue serving my constituents as an OBA MP. But there comes a time when you have to be honest with yourself.

My values and the direction of the organisation are no longer aligned.

I cannot continue to belong to a system when doing so compromises my responsibility to the people I was elected to serve.

Politics was never supposed to be about me.

It was supposed to be about us.

It was supposed to be about the elderly person deciding whether they can afford their electricity or groceries. The young Bermudian wondering whether they have a future here. The family struggling to find an affordable home. The person living in poverty who feels invisible. The business owner trying to survive. The person who has made mistakes and is incarcerated but still deserves an opportunity to change. The young person caught up in gangs who needs someone to believe that their life can be different. And the Bermudian who is doing well and simply wants to know that their country is being responsibly managed.

All of these people are Bermuda.

And all of them deserve to be heard.

I have spent much of my life serving this community — in corrections, probation, justice and now Parliament. I have seen people at their best and at their worst. I have learnt that people do not need politicians to tell them what their problems are.

They need someone willing to listen, tell them the truth and do something about it.

That is the commitment I am making today.

As an independent MP, I will no longer be bound by party politics when deciding what is right for Bermuda. I will be free to support good ideas, challenge bad ones and work with anyone who is prepared to put Bermuda first.

I am not leaving politics.

I am leaving the politics that has failed too many of our people.

For too long we have accepted excuses. We have lowered our standards. We have watched people leave our shores because they no longer believe they have a future here. We have watched families struggle with the cost of living, housing, healthcare and energy while governments and political parties argue over who is right.

Meanwhile, ordinary people are asking a much simpler question:

“Who is fighting for me?”

My answer is:

I will. But I cannot do it alone.

Today, I am calling on our community organisations, charities, churches, businesses, young people, seniors, workers, professionals, people living in poverty, people who have been incarcerated, people trying to turn their lives around, and every Bermudian who believes that enough is enough:

I want to hear from you.

Tell me what is not working.

Tell me what the Government is not hearing.

Tell me what you believe we can do differently.

Bring me your ideas, your experiences and your solutions — not just your problems.

I want us to build something different: a politics that listens before it speaks; that solves problems instead of defending positions; that puts people before party; and that has the courage to make difficult decisions when they are necessary.

I believe Bermuda can be better. I believe we can stop losing our people.

I believe we can rebuild opportunity for our young people, dignity for our elderly, hope for those who feel forgotten and a sense of belonging for those who have become disconnected from their own country.

And I believe we can build a Bermuda that becomes a benchmark for how a small country can govern itself — with integrity, compassion, common sense and courage.

My political journey has brought me to this moment for a reason.

I fought two elections against Sir John Swan, and during those campaigns I learnt many things. One thing that stayed with me was his belief that the system we have is not meeting the needs of our people.

I believe he was right.

So today, I am taking the first step toward doing something different.

To the people of Smith’s North who elected me and trusted me: I have not forgotten you. I will continue to represent you with everything I have.

And to Bermuda:

Whether I am one person or eventually part of a team of many, I will continue to fight for you.

Not for the privileged few. Not for political parties. Not for special interests.

For Bermuda.

This is not simply my decision.

It is an invitation.

An invitation for people of goodwill to come together and chart a new course.

We have spent too long dividing ourselves into “us” and “them”. It is time to remember that we are all in this together.

If you believe Bermuda can be better, I ask you to stand with me.

If you feel unheard, make your voice heard.

If you have an idea, bring it forward.

If you have lost hope, do not give up on your country.

And if you are prepared to help build something better, come and be part of it.

I am taking this step with faith, courage and a deep love for Bermuda.

The time for excuses is over. The time for a new course is now.

And I am ready to walk it with you.

• Robert King is the independent MP for Smith’s North (Constituency 10)