Jim Bennett

With billboards now littering the landscape, we now have constant reminders that the election is looming. And so many policy suggestions being thrown at us.

How will we sift through them to decide what matters most?

Some policy proposals have real significance. Others are mere frills. How, then, should we decide whom to support? What really matters?

Will the ability to buy fireworks for Guy Fawke’s determine your vote? I hope not. Other issues matter far more.

Does it really matter that decisions can be made by Government ministers without consideration of local community views?

Does it matter that women continue to receive lower rates of pay than men?

Does it matter that our skilled young people have to emigrate to find employment?

Does it matter that essential public services, like health, continue to be underfunded?

Does it matter that safety at work requirements are being lowered?

Does it matter that decisions by the courts can be overridden by Parliament when the decisions don’t suit the Government?

These things do indeed matter, and the list could include many more topics.

But there is something even more fundamental than any one of them.

The “basic” that most needs fixing is the quality of our democracy.

It is what really matters most. We cannot build a sustainable future if our democratic procedures continue to be whittled away.

At risk is the cohesion of our society. Think about this when deciding who to vote for in November.