I USED to be dumbfounded by the number of people who, when stopped in the street and asked by smug, smart-alec reporters to name our political leaders, were unable to.

Those that giggled and blissfully claimed: “I don’t read newspapers or watch the news” offended me.

“These people vote,” I would groan, “no wonder we have such dud politicians.”

But I understand them now.

THINK TANK: ROB BORBIDGE

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Because our politicians are like Harry Potter’s Dementors – get too close and they will drain you of all hope and happiness as “they glory in decay and despair’’.

Important issues aren’t debated anymore, they are spun, manipulated, downplayed or, even worse, ignored.

media_camera NSW Premier Mike Baird wears a Queensland Maroon jersey after losing a bet with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Mistakes are covered up, bad behaviour is justified and ethics and morals are now only found in history books.

Our leaders go by the adage “divide and conquer’’ to win votes, setting sections of the community against each other because if we are too busy screeching “lefty scum!’’ and “right wing nutjob!’’ at each other we don’t notice what they are getting up to.

Like rorting their expenses.

Yet just when you think our politicians can’t sink any lower, they pull out a shovel and dig a bigger hole.

When Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced Duchess Bronnie Bishop had “done the right’’ thing and resigned as Speaker he basically told the taxpayers of Australia they should all shut up and be ­grateful.

“I think we should respect the fact it is a very difficult day for her and I think we should also be grateful that finally something has been done here that will resolve this vexed question of entitlements as far as is humanly possibly once and for all,” he dictated.

Sorry, I am not grateful and I will not be told to be grateful.

media_camera Bronwyn Bishop has resigned as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Picture: Getty Images

And which part is vexing him? What exactly does he not understand about misusing public money?

He went on to add that “by and large’’ what the Duchess had done was within the rules.

By and large?

So if I decided only to pay my taxes by and large would he be OK with that?

The Duchess has not paid a high price even if her fed-up colleagues end up forcing her out of Parliament completely.

She is going to retire with a great, big filthy package to keep her in the manner she used taxpayers’ money to become accustomed to.

And I’m sure there will be other rewards down the line.

But you have to admire Mr Abbott’s loyalty to his old friend – even if he has shown absolutely none to the people who voted for him.

The only sad bit about the Bishop’s departure is she didn’t take her Abbott with her. See what I did there – an ecclesiastical reference – I get extra points for getting the word ­ecclesiastical into a column.

media_camera Tony Abbott remained loyal to his old friend Bronwyn Bishop to the end. Picture: Gett

So I understand the despair of voters who look at the alternative – Bill “Short-on Conviction’’ Shorten – and vow never to cast a formal vote again.

But despair no longer because I think I have found the answer to our prayers. Unfortunately he is from NSW but, as Peter Beattie used to say “the last person who was perfect we crucified’’. Which I think was his way of comparing himself to Jesus. (Oh so much ecclesiastical today!)

So who is this light at the end of the dark, slimy tunnel?

It is NSW Liberal Premier Mike Baird who in recent weeks and on several vexing issues is the only politician in Australia to show any consistent leadership.

He has taken the lead on tax reform, the Adam Goodes controversy, political donations, asylum seekers and is also championing the use of medical cannabis.

Even his YouTube response to his state’s humiliating State of Origin defeat was adorable.

He is funny on Twitter and real on Facebook, posting about his hot date with his amazing wife or the cracking sunset he just witnessed.

When he took a break recently he tweeted gleefully about the cheeky ‘woohoo I’m going on holidays’ out-of-office message he had just left on his email account.

What more could you possibly want? Baird for PM!