The New England Times Engage poll on leadership and potential candidates has given us plenty to think about — not just about who readers named, but what those names say about the political mood across New England: https://engage.netimes.com.au/2025/11/engage-poll-results-leadership-and-candidates/
When locals were asked what qualities they want in the next Federal MP, the responses were refreshingly consistent: Honesty. Local knowledge. Someone who listens. Someone who works hard for the region.
And notably — party affiliation barely rated, with more than half of respondents saying it wasn’t important to them. That tells us New Englanders are looking for a representative who delivers, not simply someone wearing a familiar party badge.
The “surprising names” list
One of the biggest surprises in the poll was how highly Heidi Hallam (formerly Williamson) ranked — despite her very poor showing in the recent Tamworth Council elections. Local political memory tends to be sharp, so seeing her name appear second suggests either residual name recognition as a National or a sign that voters are grasping for options. Either way, it wasn’t an outcome I would have expected.
Equally interesting was the neck-and-neck result between Kevin Anderson, the current State MP for Tamworth and now state Deputy Leader of the Nationals, and Laura Hughes, Labor’s federal candidate at the last election. Anderson entered the poll with years of state-level visibility, while Hughes — though highly regarded — has had far less time in the public spotlight as a result less name recognition. The fact that she nearly matched him is a quiet reminder that Labor’s federal standing is reshaping local expectations.
The dark horse everyone should be watching
But perhaps the biggest revelation is the strong showing of Tamworth Councillor Mark Rodda. If any name can fairly be called the poll’s dark horse, it’s his. Rodda has become one of the most popular figures in Tamworth local government — steady, community-focused, and free from the baggage of party machinery. If he ever chose to enter federal politics, he may well become a real contender. But he has said previously that his interest does not lie in federal politics.
And then there’s Sam Coupland…
The poll also produced another surprise: that Sam Coupland, Armidale’s mayor did not rank higher. Coupland’s leadership style is steady rather than flashy, and with no clear party affiliation, he fits the exact profile many respondents described as their “ideal candidate.” That he didn’t feature more prominently raises questions about whether Armidale voices are being drowned out, or whether the region simply hasn’t yet viewed his mayoral credentials through a federal lens.
Which brings us to the Nationals options — and their limits
Names like Adam Marshall and Heidi Hallam received attention, but the poll makes something crystal clear: electing another Nationals MP may not be the best path forward for a region hungry for relevance. The Nationals are almost certain to remain in federal Opposition for the next two if not three terms at least. The Coalition is in turmoil. No matter how capable an individual candidate might be, they would be trying to deliver from a position of increasingly declining influence.
New England doesn’t need an MP stuck outside the room where decisions are made.
Independents have appeal — but government matters
The appetite for independents remains strong — reflected in the poll and in the region’s political history. But independents only have leverage when the parliamentary numbers fall their way. Influence comes and goes.
Which leads to the quiet but unmistakable conclusion many locals already sense: With Labor dominant federally, the only candidate who can truly deliver for New England is a Labor MP.
A Labor MP would have access to power, influence, funding pipelines, and a direct seat at the decision-making table. In a region desperate for meaningful investment in health, roads, telecommunications, agriculture, climate transition, and regional jobs, that matters more than ever.
The Engage poll doesn’t just reveal names — it reveals a shift.
· New Englanders want results.
· They want relevance.
· They want someone who can actually get things done.
So, as we head toward the next federal election, the question isn’t simply who we recognise — it’s who can deliver.
And on that front, the answer may be changing faster than the old political guard is ready to admit.
Denise McHugh is an experienced educator in Tamworth. She is Chair of the NSW ALP Education and Skills Committee.
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