Jarion Richardson, the leader of the One Bermuda Alliance, has declared that the island’s constitution is in need of a review and restructuring.

Mr Richardson, who will be standing down as party leader in September, said that although he supported the Westminster system, it could take many forms that should be explored.

In an interview on the News Navigators podcast, Mr Richardson said that Bermudians seemed reluctant to address major issues such as constitutional reform, adding that the existing system was “inconsistent with our current reality”.

He added: “That’s an easy thing to say. The harder one is, what do we replace it with?

“I do think Westminster parliamentary democracy is the way to go — I believe in it wholeheartedly — but it comes in different structures, different numbers of MPs, different numbers of constituencies.

“It’s a big question and one that I think we should really explore.”

Mr Richardson also suggested that his successor would have a great deal of work to do if his party was to win the next General Election.

He said: “At the end of the five years we went through to the 2025 General Election, I made sure that we had a formalised, comprehensive post mortem, and so I led that.

“Once that was done, I said, ‘What are the next steps for this party?’ I looked around and the next steps look a lot like what I did in the first five years.”

Mr Richardson refused to be drawn on who he believed should replace him as leader.

Asked whether he would endorse any candidate, he replied: “I don’t know if an endorsement would assist. I’d have to think about that.”

The Royal Gazette contacted former OBA leaders after Mr Richardson announced his resignation on Sunday to ask their views on who should replace him.

Michael Dunkley, who led the party as premier between 2014 and 2017, said: “Jarion is a man of principle and integrity — often lacking in public service.

“I thank him for his service as leader and understand his reasons for resigning the position.

“I would also like to thank his wife and family for supporting him in politics. I am pleased that he will remain a Member of Parliament.

“I have no comment to make about who could be the next leader and any challenges or opportunities to be faced.”

John Barritt, who was interim leader for five months when the party formed in 2011, also declined to comment on a replacement.

Former leaders Patricia Gordon-Pamplin and Cole Simons did not respond to requests for comment.

However, a poll by The Royal Gazette suggests that it could be a tight race should more than one candidate stand for the position.

As of last night, Michael Fahy, the Shadow Minister of Housing and Municipalities and Home Affairs, was in the lead with 28 per cent of the vote, followed by shadow finance minister Douglas De Couto, with 24 per cent.

Ben Smith, the deputy leader, was in third place on 19 per cent.

The Royal Gazette e-mailed questions to all three MPs yesterday to ask whether they were considering running. No replies were received.

Editorial