To some, it may have come as a surprise to see me entering the political ring as the candidate for Constituency 10 — Smith’s North. But for those who know me, you know that besides being a man who carries himself with the utmost integrity, I am passionate about advocating for the betterment of the people of Bermuda.

While I have not been involved in politics for a long time, throughout the years, I have kept my finger on the pulse and I am well aware of the topics which are at the fore of the heads and hearts of the people of Bermuda: the eye-watering cost of living, escalating health costs, the lack of availability of affordable housing and immigration reform.

But who is Robert King?

I possess more than 30 years’ experience working with the offending population, many of whom have entered the criminal justice system owing to unaddressed generational trauma. I am also a Scars-certified trainer, whose purpose is to protect children, and a certified divorce coach.

I also have earned a certification in restorative justice.

I recognise that Bermuda functions at its best when we respect one another in our small but close-knit community. Ethnic background, age, social status, faith, sexual orientation or affiliation should not matter. We all should be treated the same and afforded the same opportunities. While it would be utopic to desire equality, every resident in this island deserves equity at the very least.

The reason I have chosen to run in Smith’s North is simple. I grew up in the area. I possess fond memories from childhood and my family roots run deep there. I want to serve and give back to the community that cultivated me into the man I am today.

Why did I choose to run for the One Bermuda Alliance? The answer is simple.

The OBA best reflects my virtues and principles. Our team consists of a cross-section of members from a plethora of backgrounds, who have come together for a common good — to make life in Bermuda better for everyone. Not a select few. The party represents the ideals and philosophy that I believe in: honesty, integrity and accountability.

I believe that the greatest strength lies in working as part of a team, and the One Bermuda Alliance is the team that can get the job done. The party boasts a cross-section of professionals who are truly vested in returning our beautiful island home to the levels of prosperity it once enjoyed.

I believe that I can represent the residents of Constituency 10 well. While canvassing, I have had the opportunity to reconnect with many of them, and their sentiments have been encouraging. My intention is to be the next OBA MP for the area. I will continue to work hard as I canvass, and most importantly, I will continue to listen to what the residents are telling me. I want them to know that my intentions are pure. Communication from me will not dissipate once the by-election is over. My commitment to the residents of Constituency 10 is for the long term.

• Comments are closed on political content from now to after the by-election to stem the flow of purposefully inflammatory and litigious comments during the election cycle. Users who introduce extreme partisan comments into other news content will be banned