Residents of Smith’s North showed mixed feelings yesterday after their MP, Robert King, announced his departure from the One Bermuda Alliance.

Many residents welcomed a change away from party politics, but some feared an independent representative could be toothless without a party to help them in Parliament.

A 60-year-old man, who asked not to be named, said he recognised Mr King’s right to make his own political choices.

However, he added: “If Sir John Swan, Lord rest his soul, couldn’t hold on as an independent candidate, it tells you a lot.

“If he couldn’t make it, how does Mr King expect to hold on as an independent?”

The man, from Jennings Road, said there should be a by-election to allow constituents to confirm whom they wanted representing them.

The man added that despite difficulties it was important for Bermuda to turn away from party politics.

He said: “There are some great people on both sides. I know some great people with independent minds who are very smart and should get involved.

“The fact that we are still based around two parties is very short-sighted for a community around this size.”

However, he added: “The electorate keeps showing us that independent candidates can’t even get close.

“He’s got a lot of work in front of him, there’s no question about that.”

Mr King, who was removed as OBA leader in February, made his announcement over the weekend, but confirmed he would continue to represent Constituency 10 in the House of Assembly as an independent.

A 70-year-old man, who also wished to remain anonymous, said he did not think Mr King could make much change as an independent MP.

He said that independent members by their nature did not have as much political backing in Parliament as those in a party, making it difficult to ensure support for legislation.

The man, who lived in the area for 35 years, believed calling a by-election would be the right thing to do “in principle” because residents may have elected him based on his party.

However, he recognised this would be a constitutional matter, as by-elections were not usually called for MPs crossing the aisle.

Otherwise, the resident said, he appreciated Mr King for being a responsive MP who advocated a lot for his constituents.

He added that he wanted to see problems such as smells and run-off from a nearby farm addressed.

The man said: “When it rains, the cow refuse flows down the Railway Trail and the tracks.

“I’m not very close to it and I can still smell it occasionally.”

Chelsea Paynter, 34, said she was hopeful about Mr King as an independent MP because it allowed him to do whatever it took to help his constituents.

Ms Paynter, who move to the area about three years ago, said she liked the idea of an independent MP because he or she would not be constrained by party politics.

She added: “I don’t really like either party and I think that’s why I stay away form politics.

“I feel like it’s just repetition of the same narrative that they both have, and it doesn’t seem to be improving.”

Ms Paynter said that ultimately she wanted someone who could help to limit speeding and dangerous driving in the area.

She said: “I think that there should be more speed bumps on the main road.

“In this area, people are flying up and down North Shore. They’re flying around those blind corners over by Mosquito Hill and the top of Store Hill.”

Laurie Zuill, 62, said she did not think an independent MP would be productive because the representative would be too much of a minority to have any sway.

The Holly Lane native added that she did not believe there was a want for an independent MP.

A 55-year-old man, on the other hand, welcomed an independent representative.

He said: “There is so much polarisation already that I think an independent would probably be more aligned with constituents than the party.”

The man added: “If the independents are willing to listen to the [constituents] then they can definitely bring it to the matter of Parliament.

“We need more people who will stand up for the community, so if part of his independence is to be a voice for the people, then that’d be great.”

Mr King won the Smith’s North by-election in May 2024 after Michael Dunkley, a former OBA leader and premier, retired from politics.

He held his seat during the 2025 General Election, when he went up against Lindsay Simmons, of the Progressive Labour Party, and the late Sir John Swan, an independent candidate.

Mr King was elected Opposition leader in September that year after Jarion Richardson announced his retirement that July.

After Mr King’s ousting, his leadership opponent, Ben Smith, took control of the party.