Is election shaping up to be a beauty contest?

In my childhood my mother used the expression: “Never judge a book by its cover”. Recent political polls would indicate a number of New Zealanders are indeed judging a book by its cover. Further, the extent of media coverage dedicated to the “Jacindarella phenomenon” indicates at least some members of the media are almost besotted. Yet it remains to be seen just what actually might be inside the cover. Makes for an interesting few weeks ahead.

Phil Chitty, Albany

I remember Princess Diana as a beautiful princess with a heart of gold. Her commitment publicly was second to none and what little private life she had she deserved. For all those people close to her to drag trivial and personal details about her some 20 years after her death is disgusting. Who can claim what Princess Diana’s butler, Paul Burrell, says of her is true? I suggest Paul quietly takes his reported £10,000 for spilling his stories, grabs his partner by the hand and goes to live happily ever after in peace. Exactly how Diana should be left.

Glenn Forsyth, Taupo

I see that Jenny Moxham in Australia wants to ban keeping birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and rats as pets in small cages, fish in small bowls, dogs in small yards and all pets in apartments (Letters, August 20). Thank goodness unlike Gareth Morgan, she did not want to ban cats. My cat is very careful with all wildlife except rats. Chablis brings in birds as a present for me into the bedroom where I open the window and they fly out unharmed. Chablis at times brings in monarch butterflies and again they fly out the window when I open it. But after neighbours left food out that brought rats, she bought in five big rats for me to bury. So cats are a value around the home. I