Have you voted yet? If not, why not? If your answer is that none of the parties offers what you want then, sorry, that’s a pretty lame excuse.

Since turning 18, I’ve cast my vote in every General Election, Scottish Parliament Election, European Election and local council election and each time I’ve disagreed with some – and occasionally many – of the policies of the party or candidate that received my vote.

Politics is like online dating – the odds are stacked against you finding the perfect match.

But I believe you must always vote and you should always put your mark in the box of the party or candidate that best represents your own political beliefs and aspirations.

If you don’t vote you are simply allowing other people to choose for you.

You wouldn’t let your numptie neighbour across the road choose the colour of your lobby curtains, so why let them choose the people who decide big issues which have significant impacts on your life – from health, taxation and education to climate change, housing and employment?

You may be mildly scunnered or you may be entirely hacked off with politics and politicians themselves but if you are reading this before 10pm on Thursday evening,........

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