In a world where we have the world at our fingertips yet are suffering from information-pollution, one can be forgiven for wanting to tune out of the May 7 General Election.

For all the howling predictions this is the game-changing election should A get into bed with B, what will happen to Y never mind what X is doing, the common denominator seems to be the desire to turn the switch off.

On the doorstep, I am still meeting people who are not going to vote or are using the clinically researched eenie, meenie, minee, mo method. Of course, I want people to vote Labour but mostly I just want people to vote.

Because democracy is a powerful measure of a civilised society.

Because it’s a responsibility not just a right.

Mostly because we should hold the powerful to account and politicians are part of the powerful elite.

I left school at 16, was young enough to have children but didn’t understand why formal politics mattered. I do now.

If I want to live in a country where older people can feed themselves and heat their homes; If I want my 24yr old and others, to have a fair chance of a future; If I want carers to be able to earn a decent wage for a day’s work.

For all of these to exist, I need to vote, as do you.

o create a society where we look after the vulnerable, the poor, and ensure we have mechanisms to keep the powerful in check, the luxury of opting out is not an option.

For those who marched for our freedoms and for those that will be toiling while we are resting on our laurels in our twilight years, I urge you to vote early and vote wisely.

Amina Lone

Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Morecambe and Lunesdale