Jarion Richardson To Step Down As OBA Leader
[Updated] Jarion Richardson will step down as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the One Bermuda Alliance [OBA], effective September 6, 2025.
An OBA spokesperson said, “Effective September 6, 2025, The Honourable Jarion C. Richardson, JP, MP, will be stepping down as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the One Bermuda Alliance [OBA]. However, he will continue to be the Member of Parliament for Constituency 23, Paget West. Mr. Richardson reflects on his time in office and says it’s time to pass the baton.”
“Leadership is not a reward – it is a commitment, an action and a responsibility,” Mr. Richardson says. “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.”
The spokesperson said, “Since becoming Opposition and One Bermuda Alliance leader in August 2023, Mr. Richardson has led the party through a process of strategic renewal, including the launch of a national platform, internal reform, and the expansion of civic engagement efforts. His tenure saw the revival of the party’s policy framework, organizational infrastructure, and outreach across the island.”
Mr. Richardson frames his departure as a carefully chosen transition: “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.”
The spokesperson said, “The OBA will host its Annual General Meeting on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at which time new leadership will be elected. Mr. Richardson has pledged full support for the transition.
“The One Bermuda Alliance thanks Mr. Richardson for his service, leadership, and lasting contributions to the institution of Opposition and to Bermuda’s democratic process.”
Update: A PLP spokesperson said, “The Progressive Labour Party acknowledges reports that Jarion Richardson will be stepping down as Leader of the One Bermuda Alliance, and we acknowledge his service to Bermuda as Leader of the Oppostion.
“While leadership changes in the OBA have occurred six times in the past eight years, Bermuda has learned through experience that new faces do not mean new ideas. The question now before the people is this:
“Will the next OBA leader reject the party’s failed and harmful record, or double down on it?
“Before presenting themselves as a “fresh start,” any new OBA leader must answer for their party’s track record:
- “Do they stand by the OBA’s Pathways to Status plan, which would have allowed non-Bermudians and the children of guest workers to compete directly with Bermudians for jobs, land, and opportunity in our own country?
- “Do they agree with the OBA’s refusal to raise seniors’ pensions for 4 years, only raising them on the eve of the 2017 election?
- “Will they defend the OBAs’ attempts to slash access to mammograms?
- “Do they agree with the OBA’s move to cut scholarships, job training, and childcare support for Bermudians?
- “Do they support the OBA’s role in the pepper-spraying of seniors and citizens on December 2, 2016, outside the House of Assembly, during peaceful protests against the airport privatisation deal?
“These aren’t rhetorical questions. These are the OBA’s actual decisions when they held power and the positions they have never repudiated while in Opposition.
“The people of Bermuda deserve to know whether the next OBA leader will continue the same harmful policies that reduce opportunity for Bermudians, or finally admit their party got it wrong.
“The OBA may be changing its leader. But until it changes its values, Bermudians already know exactly who they are.”
I would not be surprised if Mr. F takes over lol.
You know the oba faithful are having a bad day today. Not a win in sight.
Well , this will be fun . As the island crumbles under the ineptitude of the PLP the cool aid drinkers will wail about Jetgate and the airport and smugly claim that Jarion has seen the error of his ways as he was only being used by the big bad oligarchy .. And we continue to sink , and sink ..LOL
Duneenwurrywiffit, Buttons and Famous are gonna save us all by making us a full member of Caricom.
And they plan on doing so without increasing our population size. Bies are sharp!
Fahy time. Only choice and a good one.
Thanks for your time. You grew into a great leader and served the opposition well
Proud of you Jarion, very proud.
Start your own party brother and take a selected few with you. The obaUBP will never win and your family and friends have been stating these facts to you since you became leader.
Until you get in find out that many are not up to date, don’t read and or attend meetings but have a vote.
His statement clearly reads as though this was planned carefully and while he remains in support of his party, it doesn’t seem like this was a voluntary resignation. I feel for Jarion as I do feel he is one of the good guys. It will be interesting to see who comes next and what their vision for the OBA is.
THAT WAS FAST LMAO!!!!
But Bermuda will never go to bed one night and wake up in the morning and suddenly find there’s a new leader of the One Bermuda Alliance.
That would only happen if I were to stand down and I have no intention of doing so. There’s still too much work to be done.” – J Richardson.
PLP….no vision except when it comes to giving thousands of dollats away to strangers becaise two PLP persons said so. Then the thief ends up lost in the triangle. And how many town hall meetings have been called with Communities to share what has been agreed to and Communities read about it in Bernews. All done without Communities feedback. Look around Bermuda..look around and out!!!
Looks like the OBA circus just lost their Ring Master.