The One Bermuda Alliance has officially been launched with John Barritt as leader and Craig Cannonier as deputy leader.Former UBP and BDA MPs gathered at the Vasco De Gama Club this afternoon to hear how the much-talked-about political party marks “a new beginning in politics.”The party's Senators were officially named as former BDA leader Mr Cannonier, former BDA deputy leader Kathy Michelmore and to “give the party continuity and experience” former UBP leader Michael Dunkley.Mr Barritt will be the new party's interim leader for four months, but will not be a candidate in the leadership contest. He said his “personal commitment to the party” would be to step down as an MP to hand his seat over to the new leader, in line with the Bermuda Constitution.The OBA's shadow ministers will be announced in the next couple of days. Their work will be strengthened by party spokesmen who will take an active role through shadow boards.The party will throw its doors open to everyone with a candidate selection committee consulting branches on all applications.Mr Barritt, who was sworn in as Opposition leader by Governor Sir Richard Gozney this morning, said Bermuda was crying out for change and they were ready to take politics in a new direction.He said: “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.“The time to act is now…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.”Mr Barritt said they hoped to attract those who had been “turned off by the same old, same old UBP/PLP dynamic” back into politics.He added they already had a strong mix of people on board, including young and old, new and experienced, and they did not want to be a stronger Opposition but “an alternative Government.”The OBA has been formed as members agreed Bermuda was in “serious trouble” with gang-related shootings, unemployment, national debt and a failing education system.Party members said they were ready to implement change and would immediately get to work in making the parliamentary system more inclusive, working towards full employment, having a ceasefire on our streets, ending the education crisis, balancing the budget and ensuring fairness, equity and transparency.Mr Cannonier said the party was ready to provide the solutions that people wanted and deserved.He said: “We cannot accept business as usual. We must start to build on common ground and stop dwelling in the spaces that separate us.“We have set aside party loyalties for the sake of the country. Our mission is to put Bermuda first, because that is what has been missing.”The party's OBA logo shows the three overlapping letters in blue, red and gold next to the slogan ‘Putting Bermuda first.'Mr Barritt and Mr Cannonier were joined at the press conference by Mr Fahy, Dr Michelmore and Mr Dunkley.Also in attendance were MPs Trevor Moniz, Bob Richards, Cole Simons, Mark Pettingill and Shawn Crockwell. Also, former BDA members Michael Branco, Toni Daniels and Wayne Scott.In a short ceremony at Government House this morning, Mr Barritt was formally appointed Opposition leader by Sir Richard.Sir Richard said he had clear evidence Mr Barritt enjoys the overwhelming support of the Opposition MPs, making his appointment a formality regardless of the formation of the OBA.He confirmed UBP leader Kim Swan had tendered his resignation overnight on Sunday.Mr Barritt was supported by fellow former UBP MPs Bob Richards and Trevor Moniz, with Bermuda Democratic Alliance leader Craig Cannonier, MP Mark Pettingill and members Michael Fahy and Michael Branco also in attendance.Mr Barritt praised the performance of Mr Swan, who has spearheaded a court injunction against him.He said Mr Swan had led the UBP during a difficult time and had done a good job for the past three years.“He deserves to be congratulated for the service he has provided,” said Mr Barritt.Referring to a quotation, he then observed: “The life of every man is like a diary which means to write one story but writes another.“I think that's particularly true for me as I stand here today as a former member of the UBP, now soon to become leader of the One Bermuda Alliance and now, today, Opposition leader.”After the ceremony, Sir Richard told The Royal Gazette: “My interest is in a strong, coherent and cogent Opposition in the Assembly so the debate about issues can take place intelligently there, and not just in the newspapers and on 107.5 and the rest.“You need an Opposition who can articulate and argue the issues of the moment.The party's launch comes just days after UBP rebel members obtained a temporary injunction, which halted the proposed merger between the UBP and BDA.Seven UBP MPs and two UBP Senators then resigned from the party and UBP leader Kim Swan officially quit as Opposition Leader. This paved the way for the official launch as the politicians were free to act as individuals rather than party members.