Today we all go and vote. Or do we? Many people who are entitled to vote won’t bother. I’m just one blogger with a few readers (and many of you are not in the UK so I will let you off) but this is my message to them:

Firstly, if you are woman, shame on you. People died so you can vote. They gave their lives, wrecked their health in prison. Even if you go to the polls and put in a cross at random, use your voice. Or it won’t be heard.

Secondly, if you are a young person, shame on you. The more people of your generation who go and vote the more your views will be taken into account. By not voting you are letting down your generation.

‘But they are all liars and cheats.’. I’ve heard this said by otherwise intelligent people. I’m sorry but I think this is a myth. Its a good story for the front of newspapers. Better news by far than ‘Good people doing their best to improve the lot of society’. If your view of politics is through the media then it is not through rose tinted glasses, it is through glasses that are cracked and stained, they are practically encrusted with the mud thrown at them.

How do I know this? Because I am a political mum. Every week I get an update right from the heart of politics, a personal account of what is going on. And I’m not shocked by what I hear. I’m amazed that these people have so much energy and drive. I’m amazed that they can keep their beliefs intact in spite of everything that is said to them and about them. As a mum I have never, for one moment, wanted my son to choose a different career. It seems a grand and fine thing to serve his community and country in this way.

So, go and vote!