This is the full text of Opposition Leader John Barritt’s speech at the launch of the One Bermuda Alliance.My name is John Barritt and I am here today with colleagues and friends to announce the formation of One Bermuda Alliance.Before I address aspects the OBA’s mission and make-up, I want to talk briefly about circumstances that have brought us to this decision.Few people will disagree that Bermuda is in serious trouble.lGang-related shootings are tearing apart families and communities.lUnemployment has become a fact of life for thousands putting tremendous strain on families.lMassive national debt has forced cutbacks in basic public services.lEducation failures continue to short-change our children, narrowing their opportunities in life.These issues, and others, are in our face every day. They are tearing at the very core of who we are as Bermudians, undermining our way of life and threatening our future.Thousands of lives have become more difficult, more stressful, and there is no end in sight.Despite the alarming situation, the current government gives no confidence it knows how to get the island back on track. We hear talks, lots of talks butlNo real plans to restore jobslNo sustained, over-arching plan to solve gang violence, andlNo urgency, no real commitment to end the education crisis.What we do see is the blowback from years of reckless Government spending now hobbling its ability toloperate ferries and buses,lfund critical Police operations,lsupport struggling families and charities, andlprotect seniors from rising health care costs.We consider Bermuda’s situation to be extremely serious and urgent, requiring a unified response. We intend to provide the country with the opportunity, and hope, to get it back on track. We are a committed group of people Parliamentarians and non-Parliamentarians, formerly of the UBP and the BDA who’ve elected to join together and to put Bermuda first. There are people who wanted us to postpone this launch day, but waiting is not an option. The time to act is now. The levels of stress, anxiety and frustration in the community are not going away under the current conditions.We are not alone with our concerns. Bermuda is crying out for change, for change in the way we practice politics and in the way we conduct the people’s business. We’ve heard it loud and clear: People want a new approach, they want a new direction. We firmly believe that the people of Bermuda want us to come together, to put aside old political and personal differences to work together for the good of the country. That is what we are committed to doing, and we are demonstrating that commitment by working together through the formation of an entirely new party.The OBA wants to be the agent for change, and that is reflected in how we’ve set up the party.Let me share with you an example of what I mean; an example of the commitment I am prepared to make for the change that is required: It was agreed that whoever became the interim leader should not be a candidate in the leadership convention, which should take place in four month’s time. That is the role I’m playing.The leadership contest is open to anybody, and since the Bermuda Constitution says a party leader must have a seat in the House of Assembly, I have indicated that I am prepared to step down to make way for that new leader should he or she not already be a Member of Parliament.I have committed to this role because there can be no change without people willing to make change. That is my particular commitment to the One Bermuda Alliance and to change.Each member of the OBA has stepped out of their comfort zone to be an agent of change. They put aside party loyalty and identity to put Bermuda first. This is no small thing.For example, it is natural to feel some sense of loss at giving up a lifelong association or a more recent commitment that held such promise. Past members of the UBP can reflect on that party’s long list of achievements from desegregation of schools, the creation of Bermuda College, CURE legislation, health care and pension legislation, sound economic management and full employment to name but a few. On the other hand, I recognise that other people will continue to see the UBP associated with a historical legacy of white privilege, and the failure to do enough to benefit the black Bermudian and Portuguese community.Even today, the legacy of slavery, segregation and institutionalised racism persists. As a former member of the UBP and as a member of the wider Bermuda community, I recognise and acknowledge this and carry into the OBA the commitment to work for an equitable and fair community.Hopefully, our actions today and going forward will resonate and find echo with the many who have been turned off by the same old, same old UBP/PLP dynamic that has dominated our politics. It is from this that we turn away today.The OBA welcomes people who have been discouraged and disillusioned by the old, tired ways of doing politics and who are looking for a new home to chart a new course for change.We invite them to come forward now at the beginning to help shape the OBA and the direction it takes.For example, the finalisation of the party’s Constitution will take place in the months leading to the leadership convention. This work will be open to anyone who wants to join us at the ground level as we make a fresh start for a new beginning.The same will be true for our policies and positions on issues of the day: The work of our Shadow Ministers will be strengthened by party spokesmen who will take an active role in the development of party policy through shadow boards.I want to take a moment to emphasise that the formation of the OBA is not just about creating a stronger Opposition. We are doing this to provide Bermuda with an alternative government.This will take more than a single press conference to present, but today I want to provide you with some idea of the principles governing our work and the directions we would like to move the country.1. We will put Bermuda first at all times and in all possible ways. The Government has not always followed that principle and it lies at the centre of much that has gone wrong.2. We believe Bermuda works better when its people work together. We will push to make our Parliamentary system more inclusive and more collaborative for the public and Parliamentarians.3. We will work towards growing the economy to full employment.4. We will work to balance the budget, get public debt under control and reduce red tape to improve our competitiveness.5. We will work for a ceasefire on the streets, and begin to address the underlying causes of crime.6. We will focus on ending the education crisis once and for all.7. We will begin to reform government to ensure fairness, equity and transparency.Bermuda needs a government with a clear vision and clear goals and the know-how to achieve them. It needs a government that helps people meet the challenges in their day-to-day lives.The OBA already has an excellent mix of people with fresh ideas and energy and experienced hands to start us on the way to making the changes Bermuda needs. Notwithstanding this, our plans and preparations have already been met by the usual critics and naysayers, some of whom would prefer that we not even get off the ground. We are beyond that now. We are simply looking to create the opportunity to foster positive change for Bermuda and, with the help of others, to help this country succeed. Our focus will be on easing the problems and pressures facing the people of this country. We think the public will support that work.We want to earn your support and trust, one person at a time. Rome was not built in a day.We are building from the ground up to give everyone an opportunity for a new beginning and a fresh start.