The One Bermuda Alliance has officially been launched with John Barritt as leader and Craig Cannonier as deputy leader.The much-talked-about political party aims to bring all walks of life together for “a new beginning in politics.”The party’s Senators are former BDA leader Mr Cannonier, former BDA deputy leader Kathy Michelmore and to “give the party continuity and experience” former UBP leader Michael Dunkley will resume his position as Opposition Senate leader.Mr Barritt will be the new party’s interim leader for four months, but will not be a candidate in the leadership contest. He said his “personal commitment to the party” is that he is willing to step down as an MP and hand his seat over to the new leader, in line with the Bermuda Constitution.The new party, which has been on the cards since before Christmas, will field ten MPs in the House of Assembly; the seven ex-UBP members and three BDA MPs.OBA’s shadow ministers will be announced this week and they will be backed by party spokesmen who will take an active role through shadow boards.All party MPs will also have to apply to a candidate selection committee to become election candidates.Mr Barritt, who quit the UBP after a last-minute legal challenge, said Bermuda was crying out for change and they were ready to take politics in a new direction.He said: “We consider Bermuda’s situation to be extremely serious and urgent, requiring a unified response.“We intend to provide the country with the opportunity, and hope, to get it back on track.“We firmly believe that the people of Bermuda want us to come together, to put aside old political and personal differences to work together for the good of the country.”Mr Barritt said they hoped to attract those who had been “turned off by the same old, same old UBP/PLP dynamic” back into politics.He added they already had a strong mix of people on board, including young and old, new and experienced, and they did not want to be a stronger Opposition but “an alternative Government.”The OBA was formed because Bermuda is in “serious trouble” with gang-related shootings, unemployment, national debt and a failing education system.Party members have vowed to immediately get to work in making the parliamentary system more inclusive, working towards full employment, having a ceasefire on our streets, ending the education crisis, balancing the budget and ensuring fairness, equity and transparency.Mr Barritt said it was “just the beginning of the race” as all MPs would have to apply to a candidate selection committee, who would then consult party branches. This system is to ensure the OBA “puts in place the best candidates possible.”Mr Barritt said: “We are open to anyone and everyone. We want people who care about the country to come forward and join us and apply to be candidates.“We are going to work hard at this. We are not new wine in old bottles. We are putting new wine in new bottles.“Those people who are feeling unhappy and discouraged will feel part of our new wine.”Mr Barritt suggested other MPs would also be willing to stand down to make way for new faces in the House of Assembly. He said: “I don’t want to name names or invite you to speculate, but I am leading by example.”The make-up of the House will consist of 23 Progressive Labour Party MPs, 10 OBA MPs, two UBP MPs and one independent MP.Mr Cannonier, who was also celebrating his 48th birthday yesterday, said the party was ready to provide the solutions people wanted and deserved.He said: “We cannot accept business as usual. We must start to build on common ground and stop dwelling in the spaces that separate us.“We have set aside party loyalties for the sake of the country. Our mission is to put Bermuda first, because that is what has been missing.”The official launch at the Vasco Da Gama Club came just hours after Mr Barritt was formerly sworn in as Opposition leader at Government House yesterday morning. Governor Sir Richard Gozney said he had clear evidence Mr Barritt enjoys the overwhelming support of the Opposition MPs. Kim Swan resigned as Opposition leader on Monday, but remains UBP leader.After the ceremony, Sir Richard said he wanted to see “a strong, coherent and cogent Opposition” as they needed to “articulate and argue” the issues of the moment.Last week UBP rebel members, led by UBP leader Kim Swan and Charlie Swan, obtained a temporary injunction to halt the proposed merger between the UBP and BDA.They argued the UBP’s process to dissolve was “deeply flawed” as proper consultation had not taken place.Writs, signed by Commercial Court judge Ian Kawaley, were served to respondents and plans to launch the OBA in time for Friday’s new parliamentary session fell through.Seven UBP MPs and two UBP Senators then resigned from the party. This paved the way for the official launch as the politicians sidestepped the injunction, acting as individuals rather than party members.Mr Barritt received a round of applause when he stressed he “no longer acted on behalf of the UBP” as he had made the decision to “no longer live in limbo.”Speaking to The Royal Gazette after the press conference, Mr Barritt said he was pleased they had finally got things off the ground. He said he had received “a largely positive” response from members of the public.Mr Cannonier told us: “I’m all for crossing over in the name of progress. I am willing to adapt because times have changed.“The polls have showed that people have been looking forward to this day, they’ve wanted something they could gravitate towards. This provides them with a new beginning, something they can really relate to.”Talking about his new OBA lead role, Mr Cannonier said: “It’s a beautiful day, I’m excited, it feels really good. It’s like I’ve done a hard day’s work and got to go home and enjoy a good super. You can’t beat this feeling.”OBA MP Trevor Moniz, who was formerly UBP deputy leader, said: “It’s fantastic. It’s a new beginning, it’s a new day. We can be proud of our heritage but it’s time for something new.”When asked why it was time for something new, he said: “That’s the nature of life. You can’t keep doing the same old same old. New generations bring new ways of doing things. We take our principles with us and all those things that make us.”Talking about losing the deputy leadership, he said: “I was deputy to Kim Swan for two and a half years and I greatly enjoyed that role. It’s unfortunate the way things are at the moment but we will get over that. I’m happy to fulfill whatever role is required of me.”OBA MP Bob Richards, who hopes to remain shadow finance minister, said he was feeling “elated” describing it as a “great day for Bermuda.”He said: “It’s nice to be moving forward. We have been waiting to do this for some time now and we are as frustrated as the people of Bermuda that this couldn’t have happened sooner.“We are committed about reaching out to the electorate and we are excited about what we have to offer. Our message is one of unity based on our values and principles.”OBA chairman Michael Fahy said: “What’s exciting is that every single MP has to reapply for their position, so there’s a candidate selection process. Anyone who wants to run has a chance.”On the demise of the BDA after 16 months, he said: “It’s disappointing of course that the BDA didn’t continue, but the values will continue with the OBA. It’s a new day. We are looking at something special. We can bring a new group together for the sake of the country. If we can put our differences aside then so can the country.”OBA member Wayne Scott, a former UBP election candidate, said “the time is now” to take Bermuda forward.He said: “We are doing something to get on top of all the issues facing the country. It’s about putting Bermuda first, not putting ourselves first.“This is just the start of many things and the future looks good. This is about a new type of politics which first and foremost works towards the best interests of everyone.”