WHEN Theresa May announced a snap General Election on April 18 there was probably a sense of ennui and 'here we go again', among many people, coming as it did just two years after the last election and less than a year after the EU referendum.

The Prime Minister said it was essential that a strong government was needed before pushing ahead with Brexit talks with the European Union and clearly felt she needed a fresh mandate from the people before negotiations began.

As the campaign has progressed, the debate has moved on from just the EU to cover a whole range of other issues, including social care, taxation, the health service, police funding and the security of the British people.

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And suddenly, as the polls have narrowed, it has all started to seem more exciting.

Locally in Westmorland and Lonsdale, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron faces a strong challenge from Conservative James Airey, while Labour's John Woodcock could be vulnerable in Barrow and Furness.

The Westmorland Gazette has tried to contribute to the debate locally by hosting a pre-election hustings at Kendal College, where an audience of around 240 people quizzed the candidates about a whole range of issues. It was a lively debate with plenty of interaction - an example of democracy in action.

In these challenging times, with increasing terrorist acts in Britain and worldwide and armed police regularly seen on our streets - including in Kendal this week - it is even more important that democracy is seen to be in the ascendancy.

And democracy relies on the right of every person of voting age having the power to exercise their franchise and vote for who they best believe will lead this country and tackle the many difficult issues it faces, domestically and internationally.

We would urge everyone, whatever their political persuasion might be, to get out today and vote at their local polling booth.

The Westmorland Gazette will have reporters and photographers at four local counts and you will be able to follow a live blog and read about all the action - and results - as they unfold on our website thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk