JAMES Branthwaite will vote for the first time on May 5. At 18 he has an interest in politics that few of his peers share. Here he tells the Knutsford Guardian why he will be voting out of principle

POLITICIANS blame the public for their lack of interest in politics. They should stop doing that and take a look in the mirror.

For much of the apathy surrounding next week's General Election comes from the fact that the campaign is overwhelmingly negative.

Rather than emphasise what they actually stand for, the parties persist in attacking each other.

In addition the policy differences between the parties, when closely examined, are minimal.

So there isn't a clear-cut choice for whom to vote for, and as such, many 18 to 24-year-olds simply cannot be bothered.

The reason? It won't make a difference. Despite the dullness of the campaign, I will be voting on May 5 mainly as a matter of principle.

For democracy is a precious institution that my generation needs to champion.

Over the years millions have died for the right to a democracy.

My own interest in politics has been inspired by several politicians of all shades.

American President Franklin Roosevelt (1932-1945) proved that politics is not just a pointless game of power-grabbing, as it often seems to be, but instead it can really help to improve people's lives.

Through his New Deal and the implementation of Social Security, he undid the damage caused by the 1929 Great Depression, which had led to millions living on the edge of starvation, and more than two million were homeless.

Through the New Deal and his 'alphabet agencies', he removed millions of Americans from poverty.

Roosevelt showed that politics could actually be about helping people.

Closer to home, the actions of Clement Atlee's Labour government, which created the welfare state, and so was responsible for creating the NHS and ensuring free secondary education, again showed that politics could be about helping those most at need in society. Then there's former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

I believe she managed to turn around the British economy from a state of decline, into a state of prosperity and global competitiveness, again confirming my belief that politics can be a force for good in the world.

She also added a certain glamour to politics, with her electric blue suits and her big hair, which recent politicians seem unable to emulate.

It is this glamour that often encourages people to vote in elections, and the current lack of it may explain current political apathy.

As an exercise in 'civic democracy' and to try to encourage an early interest in politics among 11 to 18-year-old students, Knutsford High is holding a mock general election on May 5.

Four parties - the Conservatives, Labour, Lib-Dems and the Greens - have put forward candidates.

Such exercises in democracy are vital in boosting interest in politics among today's youth.

But as with the real General Election, the Apathy Party currently has the most support.At times this apathy is militant, with posters vandalised or torn down.

As one of the candidates, I seem to spend half my timetabled free time replacing campaign posters.

The general atmosphere towards the mock election is one of indifference, and indeed election fatigue.

But the apathy felt towards politics by my generation is worrying because the youth of today are the voters of tomorrow. If there isn't an interest in politics, then real democracy in the UK could die a slow but certain death.

It is especially alarming when so many people died to protect Britain's it during two world wars, and today, in other parts of the world, people are dying in the cause of democracy.

One only has to look at the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre of pro-democracy activists, and the British Suffragette Campaign in the early 1900s to see that people are willing to give their lives in the name of freedom.

Of course much could be done to improve the attractiveness of voting in Britain and the actual process could be made easier by allowing the public to vote at weekends or by email.

Until then, though, it is essential that we all vote next week.

Politics can still make a difference to people's lives. Just believe it.