One of my political predictions for 2026 was that Robert King would not be Leader of the Opposition and the One Bermuda Alliance by the end of the year. Well, that prediction came true within the first two months, and now reports are saying that Mr. King has resigned from the OBA altogether.

Interesting, right?

But something about this doesn’t sit right with me, and it’s bigger than Robert King.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a sitting MP resign from the political party they were elected under and continue sitting in Parliament as an independent. Personally, I don’t think that should happen.

When people go to the polls, yes, they’re voting for an individual, but they’re also voting for the party that person represents, its platform and potentially who forms the Government or Opposition. So if an MP decides they can no longer represent that party, I believe they should also resign their seat and contest a by-election.

Let the constituents decide again. If they believe in you beyond the party, they’ll vote you back in.

This is where Bermuda’s political reality becomes important. Independent candidates haven’t exactly enjoyed much electoral success in modern Bermuda. So when someone leaves a party but keeps the seat they won under that party’s banner, I understand why people question whether that’s truly respecting the mandate voters gave them.

Now, the Robert King situation also raises some interesting political questions. What does this mean for the One Bermuda Alliance? And with the Progressive Labour Party preparing for its own leadership election, what happens to Bermuda’s wider political landscape depending on who wins and loses there?

Is there a future political home somewhere for Mr. King? Is he genuinely finished with party politics and prepared to move forward as an independent? I don’t know, and I’m not going to speak for him.

This isn’t really about where Robert King goes next. For me, it’s about whether our system needs to change. If you genuinely believe the party you were elected under no longer represents you, fair enough. People and things change. However, the voters should have the opportunity to decide whether they still want you representing them under new circumstances.

Resign the seat, contest it again, make your case to the people, and if they believe in what you’re selling, they’ll vote you back in.

That, to me, seems fair.