The outbreak of grief after the attack on Helen Haines was genuine and spontaneous. Dr Helen Haines is the real thing in a world where Australians have shown themselves increasingly angry and frustrated in a political world they struggle to understand and respect, a fake world where representatives are trying, and all too often failing, to connect. Haines connects.

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She is not a public relations confection, nor one whose every speech and action has been scripted and staged. Not every Australian would agree with her on every issue, but few would doubt her sincerity, her integrity and the dignity with which she advances it. And in a theatre of conflict, debate and vigorous prosecution of ideas, she has seemed to stand aside from the mainstream in being kind, natural and polite to all.

She is by no means the only such politician, but she and they often stand apart from the political crowd. A good many, but not all, are community independents (as Haines is), but there are mainstream politicians who can manage to project a personality. Their doing so may win them recognition and a bit of a following, but rarely preferment, least of all from political leaders who lack personality, feel for others, or an easy manner explaining or communicating with strangers.

These independent minds often share similar views, not least about open and accountable government, preservation of the environment and human rights and decency towards others. They are policy-focused, and outward-looking, not concerned with factional issues and settling scores.

Opinion polls suggest that they are out of sync with voters on some of these issues, particularly on immigration. But they have made their points without exciting rancour. Most voters know who they are and what they stand for. Just as importantly they believe that these folk mean it.

They can hold opinions others do not share without being a lightning rod for public anger, and without the difference being personal. They are widely admired, even loved, and a high proportion of the electorate knows where they stand.

I do not know any politician who does not want to be loved, but, these days, most politicians in the mainstream do not inspire much popular affection, and many are actively hated.

Politicians end up deserving the lack of affection they inspire

Decent men and women who have entered politics wanting to make a difference often end up being held in contempt because they waffle and avoid answering questions, develop bogus points and reek of insincerity, indifference and want of humility. Not only is the human touch absent, but they are not even on the plane on which most voters live.

They have little idea, other than from opinion polls and briefing from marketing folk about the most important issues motivating the electorate, and the lines they have rehearsed to show that they understand seem hollow, empty and mealy-mouthed. Most of those who have undergone media training would be better off forgetting everything they have been told. They would win more admiration, and more of a following if they answered rather than evaded the question.

When news first came that Haines had been injured after a man had driven a car at her as she was putting her bag in the back of the car, it was not clear whether the attacker was part of a politically motivated group, an ideological lone wolf, a driven person with a fixation or grievance, or a nutter. The initial words of politicians were intended to cover any of these........

© Canberra Times