Lawyer and community activist Leah Scott has been chosen as the One Bermuda Alliance's general election candidate for Southampton East Central.She will be contesting against the ruling party's Stephen Todd.Ms Scott who was born in the United States and granted Bermuda status in 2007, said that her passion was education.“The important thing is not so much that every child should be given the wish to learn.“It is my desire that every child in Bermuda have that wish.“Therefore, I will take a real leadership role in transforming our school system into something that works for our children - a school system that is performance-oriented, led by experienced, committed teachers, and driven to graduate innovators, tradespeople social leaders and multi-lingual global citizens.”Southampton East Central is currently held by Health Minister Zane DeSilva who beat David Dodwell with 569 votes to 521 in the 2007 general election. But Mr DeSilva will contest for the Southampton East seat in the next general election, having won the branch's nomination last year.Ms Scott is a former board member of anti drug organisation, PRIDE, and a current director of the Sunshine League.She has also served as secretary for the Bermuda Bicycle Association and the Bermuda Triathlon Association.This is Leah Scott's full speech:It is a privilege and an honour for me to have been invited by the Leader of the Opposition, Craig Cannonier, to be the OBA candidate for Constituency 30, Southampton East Central. I am so excited about this opportunity and I thank God for it.I love Bermuda. I have lived here for almost thirty years, and it has given me more than I could have ever dreamed in terms of family, friends and opportunity. But I am deeply concerned that Bermuda is losing its edge… we are in crisis, and if we do not re-chart our course now, it is inevitable that we will experience social and economic devastation of epic proportions.Experience matters and mine has taught me that it is not only important to work hard, but that there are risks worth taking. Those who know me and know my story also know that I am one working mother who has never waited around for change. Change is a matter of choice. It is not to be waited for. It is a thing to be achieved. I cannot change Bermuda alone, but I can cast a stone into the waters to create many ripples.Education is a priority for me, and I will take a real leadership role in transforming our school system into one that works for our children – a school system that is performance-oriented, led by experienced teachers, and driven to graduate innovators, entrepreneurs, tradespeople social leaders and multi-lingual global citizens.In addition to working to improve our schools, I will be working to make our neighborhoods safer. There was a time when crime was almost non-existent in Bermuda, but, sadly, this is no longer true. Gang violence and drug crimes are ruining too many families. We cannot continue to have expert after expert in, expending money on the preparation of reports with no intention of implementing the suggested recommendations. I am committed to actively working with and in the community to eradicate gang violence and gun crime.My vision is a Bermuda with a 21st century school system; a Bermuda where every neighborhood is safe and a pleasure to live in; a Bermuda with beautiful open spaces, arts and culture and safe, revitalized streets; a Bermuda where everyone is gainfully employed. I am asking you to join me in my vision, because the return to prosperity for this Island will only come about if we work together as partners.What counts now is not what we are against, but what we are for. While who leads us is important, what is equally important is what leads us — what courage, what convictions, what faith... and that will always be relevant no matter who wins or loses.I promise to work with and for each and every one of you who, like me, is ready for change and is ready to make a difference.Political conditions in this Island are ripe for transformation.Bermuda, you cannot continue to condone the current climate of cronyism, cover-ups and corruption. We must end, once and for all, a culture that has failed to deal with scandal and misconduct by bad politicians. What you continue to put up with is what you will have. We do not have any more time to waste.A return to fundamental common sense in Government is needed. I want to help lead our Island back onto the path of growth and opportunity. I promise you that the very foundation of my public service to you will be honesty, duty, honour, and country. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.