Ed,

With a state election just 2 months away, the word on the street is that many voters in Clarence are getting twitchy about their options. This is of little surprise given that the traditional National Party conservative sensibilities appear to have been abandoned in recent years, and the party is increasingly grasping for relevance in the regions where it has usually found its support base. Meanwhile, NSW Labor is offering sensible solutions to regional issues including the crisis in regional healthcare to name just one problem that we are now facing.

Locally, the election campaign is heating up although there is a clear difference in the approaches taken by the major party candidates. The Labor candidate seems to have boundless energy and good cheer as he circulates in the community meeting people from all walks and listening to everyone who has a local or state issue to discuss. He is also widely respected among conservatives of the Clarence as a long-term executive manager of faith based social services, and as an active member in his local faith community.

Meanwhile the person put forward by the Nationals is your typical politician. He is a serial candidate who previously stood for election against the Nationals. He acts like he is more comfortable behind an airconditioned desk and a microphone, from where he can dispense his opinions on matters of no significance for the amusement of his loyal listeners.

Conservative voters have a dilemma indeed. Labor have offered us a fine local candidate whose appeal extends to the priorities of voters across the divide, while the Nationals have offered their ticket to a successor who can just follow in the wake of the retiring member for Clarence. I can’t help but think it is a choice between an energetic leader with broad appeal who is hungry to serve, and an uninspiring follower who appears to be a shoe-in.

Sue Crowley, Yamba