Last updated 11:45, Wednesday, 30 April 2008

The right to vote is one of the most important aspects of living in a democracy. It allows a say in how your life should be helped – not hindered – by those charged with local and national governance.

No surprise in that, Sherlock!

Voting should remain a personal and private matter for the individual based on their own life’s experience of those chosen to deliver efficient services to the benefit of all.

Yet, as many of us (hopefully) go to the polls in Carlisle tomorrow, it is worth remembering that, despite our alleged current disaffection with some of the main parties, there are very few people in politics who can make a real difference.

They are the ones who do not strive for personal glory; work tirelessly for all their constituents; see long-term potential rather than short-term sound bites; have an open and honest agenda and love doing the job and the pressures it can bring.

That means voting for candidates from one of the main parties or the odd Independent who have all of the above on his or her CV with a most important caveat – the ability to listen to the people.

To vote for anyone else runs the risk of at best electing a councillor who can affect no change or at worst one that has a negative effect on our society. As a city seeking to build an exciting future, we can do without that sort of surprise.