Opposition leader John Barritt’s 18-year House of Assembly career appears over as the One Bermuda Alliance prepares for a leadership contest to replace him.Mr Barritt confirmed he’s prepared to give up his Devonshire South Central seat if the new party picks somebody from outside the House as its first permanent leader at its inaugural election in September.That would mean a by-election in Constituency 12 if either of the overwhelming favourites, Senators Michael Dunkley and Craig Cannonier, are chosen by their party colleagues.Assuming the new leader sees off the Progressive Labour Party candidate in the former United Bermuda Party stronghold, he will take Mr Barritt’s seat when the House resumes in November.Mr Barritt, 60, told The Royal Gazette: “I stand by my comments in May. If the party elects someone from outside the Parliamentary group as leader I am still prepared to step down to make way.”OBA sources say Sen Dunkley and Sen Cannonier both have groups of support, with many former UBP members backing one-time UBP leader Sen Dunkley, and those from the Bermuda Democratic Alliance camp supporting former BDA leader Sen Cannonier.The only other name in the frame according to insiders last night was Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards, who was considered a long shot due to his defeat against Kim Swan in the UBP leadership contest two years ago.OBA chairman Michael Fahy said any party member is entitled to run and vote at the leadership contest, adding: “If a non-MP wins, then a seat will be made available for that individual.”Mr Barritt became interim leader when the two Opposition parties merged in May, telling the media at that time: “It was agreed that whoever became the interim leader should not be a candidate in the leadership convention, which should take place in four months time. That is the role I’m playing.“The leadership contest is open to anybody, and since the Bermuda Constitution says a party leader must have a seat in the House of Assembly, I have indicated that I am prepared to step down to make way for that new leader should he or she not already be a Member of Parliament.”Former UBP leader Wayne Furbert, now a PLP MP, raised the subject during the Motion to Adjourn at the House in the early hours of Tuesday last week.“I would like to thank John Barritt for his service to this Parliament,” said Mr Furbert.“He said in his speech when he became interim leader he would have a convention some time before September and he would be standing down.“He’s hard working. We should acknowledge him.”Mr Furbert said he hoped Mr Barritt would “look forward to his retirement”.Mr Barritt, who smiled as Mr Furbert spoke, responded: “It’s late. I think I will be brief. I thank the Honourable Member for his kind remarks.“It’s certainly true about my public remarks that I would be stepping down as leader but reports of my death are greatly exaggerated and I would caution against writing my political obituary too soon.”Asked by this newspaper whether that was an indication he would either be keeping a place in the House or moving into the Senate, he replied: “There have been no promises, no commitments and no deals. I just meant that I prefer any political obituary be written after I have gone rather than before, that’s all.”Mr Barritt was first elected at the general election of October 1993, serving for the UBP Government as Whip, Technology and Information Minister and Youth, Sport, Parks and Recreation Minister.In Opposition from 1998, he served as Shadow Minister of Legislative Affairs, House Leader and Whip, and spokesman for Public Administration and Legislative Reform.He was widely expected to become UBP leader after Sen Dunkley lost his seat at the 2007 general election, but withdrew from the race at the latter stages before Kim Swan took the job.The OBA website’s profile on Mr Barritt points to community and professional commitments and achievements, but adds: “What he enjoys most these days is spending time with his grandchildren.”Useful websites: www.oba.bm