EMMA LEWELL-BUCK: Don’t waste your vote - it can and does make a difference!

Across the UK these are the biggest set of elections in nearly 50 years.

I know, because I speak to you all year round that many of you feel disillusioned and apathetic.

I often hear from people nothing will ever change; nothing will ever be different “so I might not vote this time.”

But in all elections, there is one thing that is a certainty, and that’s if you don’t vote things won’t change, time and time again polls have shown that when there is a large chunk of electorate who didn’t vote, they could have changed the outcome.

So please use your vote.

For all the candidates standing I know first-hand there is no better honour than representing your community, the people you care about, being their voice and using your role to fight for them.

For all of you who have worked hard and your volunteers, good luck tonight.

For those of you who are successful please don’t waste a single second of this honour and privilege, don’t let others force you to do what you know is wrong, don’t stay silent in the face of injustice, don’t shy away from difficult decisions, be transparent, be honest and people will be proud they put their trust in you.

Always, always remember it’s never about you, for any public servant the day they stop engaging with or listening to the views of those they represent is the day they need to step aside.

Putting yourself out there is never easy but there is no greater honour than being elected to public office, so to all the successful candidates, don’t waste it, don’t ever take it for granted.

For all those who have worked hard and been unsuccessful, don’t give up, try again and for everyone else, please don’t waste your precious vote because it can and does make a difference.