Northcote’s ideal candidate

Far North celebrity GP Dr Lance O’Sullivan has recently suggested a desire to enter Parliament. With the byelection looming in Northcote next month following the resignation of the incumbent, Dr Jonathan Coleman, who never really performed, O’Sullivan’s dreams may come true.

He does not seem too fussed as to who he would stand for, but he would make a really good MP, having youthful looks and energy, well-spoken, educated, with some Maori lineage and well regarded.

I imagine both major parties will be chasing him, with promises of a seat on the front bench offered as an enticement by Labour. This could be one very interesting byelection.

J.R. Jones, Mairangi Bay. A recent Herald feature submitted by Northland woman Melanie Taylor about the diminishing number of caregivers available for-at risk youths is disturbing. Melanie and her husband have, in 16 years, cared for in excess of 400 at-risk youth. What a remarkable couple. Melanie states, “It is a tragedy many new caregivers are overwhelmed and eventually capitulate at the enormity of the task due to damage caused by fetal alcohol syndrome, drug-induced psychosis, addiction and violence.”

She adds, “The root cause of the problem — abuse, bad parenting, and the breakdown of the family unit due in part to non-family-friendly policies passed by Governments over the years.”

Let us hope Melanie has aspirations to pursue a political career. Is a review of state welfare overdue?

P.J. Edmondson, Tauranga. Is the US empire crumbling through decadence? How can an intelligent nation (albeit not the majority) put their faith in a leader who epitomises greed, intrigue, corruption, indifference, pride and vindictive and licentious behaviour? The buffoonery that festers in the Trump Administration is more suited to soap opera than responsible government.

Rex Tillerson gave the US a semblance of reason as Secretary of State but he was fired. Then hardliner John Bolton becomes National Security Adviser as H.R. McMaster resigns. Scary stuff. Trump’s Administration is out of control.

The US has a leadership crisis and their penchant for maverick leaders whom they elect by roulette every four years is part of the problem. Rather, parties should have leaders who work in politics on a continuous basis so that the public can make discerning decisions based on performance rather than media appeal.

That Donald Trump would undermine climate change progress and now support the removal of a ban on hunting trophies is deeply disappointing, but no surprise. And, on a lighter note, the ex-leader of the Opposition plays golf in New Zealand!

Steve Lincoln, Botany Downs.