WHAT is the point of living in a democracy if people do not use their right to vote?

Far too many people take for granted their right to vote.

At the last general election only 61.3 percent of elligible voters cast their ballot.

This was an increase on the previous election which was put down to the introduction of postal voting.

This apathetic attitude towards voting is just as unacceptable now as it has ever been.

Over the centuries thousands of people have made incredible sacrifices fighting for the right to vote and they still are in many countries in the world.

American rapper P Diddy made headlines during the 2004 US elections with his Vote or Die' slogan to encourage youngsters who did not believe in the power of voting into the polling stations.

While the campaign was not particularly aimed at people in the Cotswolds the message is the same universally.

It is a ten minute task to do some light research into the policies of the candidates who could be representing your interests for the next five years.

It can not be that much trouble to work out which candidate is most worthy of your vote.

The old addage that if you do not vote then you have no right to complain is true. So next month make sure you get out there and put your cross in the box.