The One Bermuda Alliance unveiled its Shadow Cabinet for the new parliamentary session, with all 11 MPs — with the exception of party leader Jarion Richardson — to focus on ministerial portfolios.

At a press conference this morning, Mr Richardson said his team “will continue to highlight poor government decisions” and show how the island can be returned to a path of progress.

Among the four new Opposition MPs who won seats in the election on February 18, Douglas De Couto will speak for the party on finance and Michael Fahy will address home affairs.

Alongside them, former senator Robin Tucker is the Shadow Minister of Health and Linda Smith is the Shadow Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors.

The OBA also has a new Senate team after all three senators in the previous Parliament won House of Assembly seats in the General Election.

Marcus Jones will become the Opposition Senate leader and is joined by Victoria Cunningham and Maurice Foley, who both stood as election candidates last week.

Mr Jones resigned from the Senate in 2022 after comments he made that teenagers were inviting abuse sparked uproar on social media.

Mr Richardson praised each member of his new team, introducing them individually with potted biographies and glowing character references.

He said: “We commit to working collaboratively with the new government where we can, scrutinising government policies, providing alternative perspectives, engaging with the public, presenting an alternative government and overseeing corresponding government departments.

“Our responsibilities include researching and preparing for key parliamentary events such as the Throne Speech, the Government Budget, regular parliamentary questions, and ensuring that parliamentary committees work in the best interests of Bermudians.

“We will hold the Government accountable daily for its decisions.

“Bermuda’s challenges did not change overnight after the election — our country remains in a difficult position and without decisive action, conditions will worsen.

“The Opposition will continue to highlight poor government decisions but, more importantly, we will demonstrate how Bermuda can change course and return to a path of progress.”

Unlike David Burt, the Premier and Minister of Finance, Mr Richardson did not give himself oversight of a ministry, saying he was “fully committed” to leading the party.

He said: “I will guide this team into the new Parliament, where we will achieve the objectives set before us by the voters.

“We will not shy away from our duty or relinquish the moral high ground.

“We will hold this Government accountable and carry the vision of the OBA in the hallowed halls of one of the world’s oldest parliaments.

“Every success belongs to my colleagues, every failure is mine alone.

“While I will not achieve perfection, I promise relentless effort and clear focus. Bermuda is the best place in the world and it deserves nothing less.”

Mr Richardson said that, with the number of Opposition MPs almost doubling since the 2020 General Election when it won only six seats, his team can concentrate on single ministries rather than “double up”.

He said: “It’s a fantastic development because now our MPs are going to be able to focus on individual shadow ministries — one or two had had to double up.

“It’s also closely aligned to our passions and we still have the team in the wider OBA to support our work.

“We’re anticipating a vibrant and active Parliament, where the Government is going to be held accountable on a daily basis.”

Asked why the mood in the party was upbeat despite a third election defeat last week, Mr Richardson became passionate.

He said: “We’re a team of hope. We focus on hope.

“We came through the fire, we know what we’re fighting for — it’s clear to us.

“As much as our political adversaries may try to paint us as something other than Bermudian — they’re dead wrong on that — we are and of Bermuda.

“We love our country — we were always willing to fight for it and we fought for it during some of the most difficult political times.

“The reason why we’re upbeat is because we came back even stronger and our future now is even more clear to us.”

Parliament will reconvene on March 14 when the Governor, Andrew Murdoch, will deliver the Throne Speech outlining the Government’s legislative agenda for the year.