To vote or not to vote? 

I am a great believer in trusting the mood of our people. When the chips are down they rise to the challenge – remember the saving of Richard Plummer last summer? When an injustice occurs they take up the cause – such as Maidstone's maternity campaign. And when a change in leadership is needed for one reason or another, they come out at election time.

From personal contact with many constituents I know there are few who are purring with contentment in the current economic climate. It is an environment that I would have expected to generate a higher level of traffic than the 32% who actually made it to the polling booths last week. So why was there such a low turnout?

Is it that people think whoever they vote in will do largely the same thing so what's the point?

Some may feel that their single vote won't make a difference and so why bother.

Or do too many voters feel totally alienated from politics and politicians?

Maybe snubbing the polling station was a protest in itself for some; If none of the parties were able to inspire a voting intention then they don't deserve the effort.

I could offer an argument against all of the above and certainly think it is important to at least consider voting, and taking a fresh look each time the chance comes around. If you don't vote at all its hard to justify complaining later if nothing changes to your liking. But as I said at the beginning, I trust the mood of the people. If it was time to stay at home on this one, who am I to argue?

May I offer my congratulations to the successful candidates from all parties, commiserations to those who didn't make it this time, and thank everyone involved for their hard work and commitment.

I would be pleased to hear from readers about why they did, or did not vote this time. Drop me a line to 'Helen Grant MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 1AA' or email me at helen.grant.mp@parliament.uk.

Helen's column is written for the Kent Messenger.  It is published each Friday and subsequently uploaded to this website.  Recently published columns can be found under the Kent Messenger Weekly Column tab above.