The Leader of the Opposition focused on the culture, diversity and resilience that unites Bermuda, during his Labour Day speech.

Ben Smith chose to celebrate the common traits as well as the differences that bring residents together.

Mr Smith said: “I want to start with something simple. Bermuda is small.

“We know that.

“You can drive from one end of the island to the other in less time than it takes some people to decide what they're having for dinner.

“We see the same faces at the grocery store. We meet our neighbours at the bus stop. Our children go to the same schools. We cheer at the same sporting events. We celebrate the same holidays.

“And yet, often times, we can feel so vastly different. Different backgrounds. Different experiences. Different cultures. Different opinions about where Bermuda has been, where it is now and where it should go.

“We cannot continue to ignore this with veiled smiles … instead address it with open hearts and respectful discourse.

“I believe something very strongly: our differences do not have to divide us. They can be what makes us stronger … because Bermuda has always been a place shaped by people coming together.

“Our culture has been built over time — through the contributions of Bermudians from different races and backgrounds.

“We hear it in our music. We taste it in our food. We see it in our traditions.

“We feel it in the way we celebrate, the way we look after our families and the way we show up for one another when it matters.

“That is our culture. Not one story. Many stories woven together.”

He said diversity was not complicated and centred around those in our community.

“Diversity is your neighbour. It's the person standing beside you today. It's the teacher who teaches your child. It's the person who cuts your grass. It's the nurse who looks after your family. It's the small business owner trying to keep the doors open.

“It's the young person trying to figure out what their future looks like.

“It's the senior who has spent decades watching Bermuda change.

“Diversity is not an idea.

“It's us.

“And if we are serious about building a stronger Bermuda, then we have to learn how to live with our differences without losing our sense of community.”

Mr Smith said it was natural to disagree and debate but we should not lose sight of the fact that “we still have to live next door to each other”.

He said Bermudians understood resilience which shows up during hurricane season when we offer to help people, regardless of their background.

Speaking to the future of Bermuda, he said it was not only important to question what we are building but also who we are building it with “because progress that leaves people behind isn't really progress”.

Mr Smith also highlighted the importance of history and tradition, adding: “We need to teach our young people where we came from.

“We need to respect the stories of those who came before us — even when those stories are uncomfortable.

“And we need to make room for the people who are creating the next chapter.

“That means listening. Not just waiting for our turn to speak but listening to our young people. Listening to our seniors. Listening to working families. Listening to people who feel overlooked. Listening to people whose experiences are different from our own.

“Because you don't have to share someone's experience to respect it.

“And you don't have to agree with someone's perspective to hear them.

“That's how we begin to build trust.”