While poetic application of language can muster metaphors and stir the imagination of creative readers, politicians can sometimes end up written off when the expectation of oratory cleverness is disappointingly banal. Little doubt, elite athletes and racehorses do well to restrict their diets for peak performance, but Anthony Roberts’ culinary prescription of a mouthful of cement to “harden up” the Liberal determination is laughable. While his colleagues might be pushing him from behind to don the mantle of leadership, perhaps a few directions in messaging might also be helpful. I suppose a mouthful of cement would shut them all up, but I’m uncertain if that was the prospective leader’s intent. Perhaps another contender might stick with the more familiar call to put lead in their pencil and focus the intent in more understandable territory. Tell me someone else is standing, please. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta. 13Apr2023