The Election: What matters to me

The General Election is tomorrow and I remain undecided who to vote for. Disclaimer: I know nearly nothing about politics but this is my attempt to wade through the propaganda and work out what matters to me and which political party is the most likely to deliver this. I am also very cynical about politics. The first election I was able to vote was the last one and I voted liberal democrats believing that Nick Clegg would do what he said and get rid of tuition fees. And that was the last time I 100% trusted a politician.

But despite my cynicism I will vote and I will try to do so informed. It pains me to hear people proclaim 'what does it matter - it won't make a difference'. We are fortunate enough to live in a democracy where we can have a say in who runs our country and we should exercise this right. This election is pretty open and may come down to who turns up to vote. Whoever wins will have a huge impact on everyone's life for the next 5 years and longer. Decisions will be made on the NHS, the EU, immigration, the economy, education and national security to name a few; how do you want your money to be spent? People fought hard to earn the vote; we all need to make the most of it.

Okay; rant over. Where to start? Well I have been thinking about what matters to me firstly...

1) Healthcare. The NHS is a huge asset to this country but it is struggling, needing investment of resource and money. Obesity is becoming (already is?) an epidemic which the government needs to tackle through education and making it simple and affordable to eat healthily.

2) Care for mentally ill and elderly. Okay - so similar to the first point but the stigma attached to mental illness needs to disappear and patients treated in the same way as people with a physical illness. More research needs to go in to understanding the brain and how it works. We have an ageing population; people that have worked all their lives. They do not deserve to sit in understaffed nursing homes, or be unable to pay for heating in the winter. It's time the strong cared for the vulnerable.

3) The cost of living. A friend asked me the other day how come I didn't have savings when I have been in a full-time job for two and half years. The reason why (apart from student debt)? The cost of living is so high. Petrol, healthy food, bills, travel. I'm far from 'tight' but nor do I splash the cash and I spend almost £1200 a month on rent, food, petrol and bills alone. Let's just say I do not forsee me owning property for a long time if ever. Which leads me on to no. 4...

4) Owning property. It baffles me how anyone is supposed to be able to save up (without help from Mum and Dad) for a deposit ! Renting is throwing money away but I do not have any other option. I'd like buying a house as a young (is 26 still young?) person to become a reality rather than a dream.

5) Equality. As a woman I feel quite passionate about gender equality. As a woman in sport I feel even more passionately about gender equality. Men and women should get the same treatment and exposure in all aspects of life. Women shouldn't be discriminated against because we have babies or objectified because of what we wear. Women shouldn't be trafficked for sex or abused (nor should men obviously). We are all human and all equal and everyone should be safe.

6) Education. All kids should be taught how to manage finances, healthy living, politics and sex education. Sure you need to be able to read, write and do math but learning about 'real life' at school should also be included. It is pure neglect to not educate a kid about the dangers of the internet and then that same kid to be tricked online by a pedophile. P.S.H.E (or whatever it is called now) should be delivered by experts not form tutors - then maybe it would be taken seriously.

7) Science and research. For medical advancement to take place this is key, And the Govt. need to support research and not restrict which medicines/treatments can be used because of cost. Sure there needs to be controls and plenty of quality assurance but too much red tape will just repress greatness and potentially deny people solutions to their problems. The Govt. also need to control the media in how they 'polarise' findings or statements because messages are often misleading.

8) Support local business. I am pretty uneducated about the economy and business I'll admit (probably because no one taught me at school) but it is such a shame to see small businesses struggling and big companies that manufacture abroad rolling in in their place. Support local businesses to support the wider economy and employment in the local area.

Right there you are. Eight things that matter to me. Not all especially deep but I think these are the things that will affect me in years to come. I'd love to go into more detail about the EU and the economy but unfortunately I am not informed enough just now so please don't judge me on that.

Next stop. Party manifesto's (the temptation to write some zzz's here is strong).