HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – Cole Simons celebrated his 71st birthday on Tuesday by stepping down as Leader of the opposition One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) as well as resigning his seat as a Member of Parliament for the Constituency 8, which he has represented for the past 25 years.
Simons told a news conference that he had not been pressured to step down as Opposition Leader, paving the way for a by-election.
“I announce my retirement from the position of Leader of the Opposition, and as a Member of Parliament, after 25 years of dedicated parliamentary service to Bermuda. This decision weighs heavily on my soul, as it marks the end of an era that has shaped my life in ways words cannot fully express,” he told reporters.
He said throughout “this remarkable journey,” he has been privileged to represent the families of Constituency No 8 (Smith’s South) and the old Constituency 9 (Smith’s North), saying, “the unwavering support and trust bestowed upon me by the people of Bermuda have been nothing short of awe-inspiring.”
He said in contemplating his retirement, he is reminded of a College coach that “everything has its time” and that those words have “echoed in my mind throughout my leadership journey. “Leadership, no matter how impactful, is transient, and I believe in making way for fresh perspectives and ideas. The decision to retire was a challenging one to make. Last summer, I embarked on a soul-searching journey to assess my service’s impact and accomplishments.
“With unwavering conviction, I believe that now is the right time to step back and make room for the next generation of leaders while cherishing precious moments with my family that I have often sacrificed.”
Simons said that despite the crushing 2020 general election defeat, less than three years later, the OBA “dug deep, looked at ways to improve, and today is rebuilt and stands strong with a solid governance structure.
“We also have an ever-increasing group of fresh faces who are all committed to putting their shoulders to the wheel and will continue to hold the feet of the PLP (ruling Progressive Labour Party) to the fire on behalf of the people of Bermuda.”
Simons, a minister of environment, said he is proud to have laid the groundwork for Bermuda’s first Ocean Risk Summit, bringing together global leaders to address vital ocean-health issues.
He said he was also pleased with his tenure as a minister of education.
But he said despite the achievements, “there are certain regrets that I still carry in my heart, such as the glaring failure to adequately address youth violence and the ongoing tragic loss of life through road rage and road traffic accidents.
“Sadly, it appears as though we are beginning to accept these risks and deaths are a way of life, and no government has been able to conquer these challenges. Over the past 25 years, we have sent many sincere prayers and messages of our condolences to hundreds of families.
“As a nation, we cannot become hardened to these tragic and often unnecessary losses. We all must work harder to protect our youth and ensure safer roads for all,” he said, adding that “equally disturbing and sad for me is seeing the thousands of Bermudians and Bermudian families emigrating to the United Kingdom for economic opportunities, healthcare access, and career opportunities.
“Despite these highs and lows, I can with hand on heart state that serving the people of Bermuda and representing them as the Leader of the Opposition has been one of the highest honors of my life. I leave with a heart full of enduring gratitude for the trust your people placed in me,” he added.
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