Politics

One can sympathise with Jacqui Dean, featured for an episode that finished five years ago, (The Timaru Herald, Monday).

From my brief dealings with her she is a woman of integrity, capable and dedicated to serving her constituents and country. The same could be said of Jo Luxton, our local MP.

We are fortunate in this region; it is not a matter of party. Having said that it is good the National Party is getting its act together. A healthy opposition is as important as a healthy government.

Christopher Luxon is a man of proven ability but less experience. Time and humility will cure the latter. Contrary to popular opinion humility is a strength not a weakness. Did Simon Bridges exhibit it when stepping aside?

Politics, like life, has its good and bad moments. When the Cave Creek platform collapsed with considerable loss of life, there were calls for the resignation of the then minister of conservation – ‘‘I will when I have cleared up the mess for which I am responsible’’.

Contrast that with the shameful aftermath of the Erebus inquiry.

After doing a first class job, Justice McMahon was vilified by Robert Muldoon. Such things can happen in any party. In a very Labour government, Minister of Finance Roger Douglas betrayed everything for which they were elected.

Maybe the shortcomings in government are somewhat a reflection on us, the voters. MPs are nominated by us, but when in office are harshly judged at every turn. Surely support and constructive criticism are better than a litany of grizzles.

Farmers protests against overregulation are a legitimate concern, as again the protest march in Wellington about a fortnight ago seemed ‘‘anti’’ everything and had little point. Democracy is a tender plant. We need to nurture it.

Dennis Veal Timaru