I UNDERSTAND why some people say they have no interest in politics. The really big issues affecting communities, our country and the wider world are often hard to deal with as we scurry through our demanding and ever busy lives.

Sadly, though, whether people are interested or not, political decisions impact upon every aspect of our lives; everything from opening hours to nurses pay, street lighting to war. Voting for who determines these matters, therefore, is important.

So, here's my tip to help both the apathetic and unsure in deciding who to vote for... Put aside all the big, headline grabbing, political issues such as the economy, Europe, global warming, immigration and foreign policy, all of which we have limited individual influence over, and consider only this: which party, in your view, is most likely to treat people and families, workers and non-workers, the old and the young with fairness?

Then vote accordingly.

With social division prevalent in the UK, issues of fairness are really all that matter. Some would disagree, of course.

Phil Graham, New Coundon, Bishop Auckland.