Caption: Jarion Richardson 

 

BERMUDA – Opposition Leader Jarion Richardson has announced his decision to step down as both the leader of  the main opposition One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) and his position in the parliament.

However, the OBA said that Richardson, who will step down as Opposition Leader on September 8,  will remain as the parliamentary representative for Paget West.

“The next phase of this party’s growth — execution, energy, endurance — requires new leadership. I leave not in protest, but with peace. My work in public service continues, and I remain committed to governance, accountability and the people of Paget West.

 

“Leadership is not a reward — it is a commitment, an action and a responsibility. And I’m happy and proud to have served in those ways. This resignation is a deliberate handover, giving an aspiring new leadership team the time to form and build on what I built, and what was built before me,” Richardson said in a statement announcing his decision.

“As exhausting of a journey as it was, it was a worthwhile journey. I’m honoured and I’m privileged to have done it.”

The OBA praised Richardson, who took over the leadership of the party in Augst 2023, for leading the party through a process of “strategic renewal” including internal reform, better civic engagement and the creation of a national platform.

“His tenure saw the revival of the party’s policy framework, organisational infrastructure and outreach across the island,” the OBA said, adding that the move was a “carefully chosen transition”.

Richardson told The Royal Gazette newspaper that he made the decision to leave the role after a post-mortem of the Bermuda budget was completed.

He said that when he first joined politics, his responsibilities meant he had less time for other commitments, including his family and work.

“It took time away from other priorities in my life — in fact, there was no other priority in my life for five years other than the One Bermuda Alliance. I want to get back to those priorities — most especially in my family, but also in my career,”he added. (CMC)