Melissa Lee & Mt Albert

As much as I support National in the first year of their term in government I have to say that even in the dog eat dog world of politics, the National party's treatment of first term list MP Melissa Lee has been shabby to say the least.

When it came to the highway construction, which directly affected her electorate, she wasn't briefed on the National governments plans for that motorway. That left her high and dry. She stated her own opinion a number of times and while that does not commit a government to an action but it would have even been better had they (meaning the party leadership) said something to her. Rather than her making a fool of herself.

The sad thing though, she did a good enough job of that on her own later on. She didn't need help.

Her quip that the construction of the highway would lower crime by keeping South Aucklander's (regardless of Otara or elsewhere) was stupid and a heat of the moment barb. It was at that point where I first felt that she was done. Today in the Herald, the following was written of her.

"Asked by students if she regretted her comments made last Wednesday that a motorway would divert criminals from South Auckland, Ms Lee said "you guys are obviously students and do not watch television".

Amid more booing she added, "I did actually say I made a mistake and I was sorry".

That comment from her shows her lack of preparation to be an electorate MP.

Now, I don't think David Shearer, the Labour candidate has had less experience in parliament than Lee but he is more experienced in diplomatic circles and he has more communicated to him than Lee.

But in terms of this by-election Melissa Lee is done and part of that damage is her own doing, but its also to do with how her party has treated her. But shes sunk. Game over. Its staying red.