Proving democracy is alive and kicking

Just when we thought this might be a rather dull and uneventful election it has turned out to be anything but. Sadly, that is mainly for tragic reasons, as there is no question that the terrible events that occurred in Manchester and at London Bridge have changed the dynamic of the campaign. What started out as a test between Conservative and Labour competence over Brexit has been overshadowed by security and policing.

On a minor scale in comparison, we have also had the charges laid at Craig Mackinlay in South Thanet plus two party colleagues over allegations of electoral fraud, though it could be said that this does not get near the pantomime of the 2015 election with Nigel Farage and the Pub Landlord raising the profile of the seat.

And then there’s the stickability of the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, derided on all sides as incompetent, weak and having dodgy political allies.

Yet he is still there, giving Theresa May a decent fight and not the cakewalk back into No 10 that many had predicted. It would be a major surprise, however, if the Tories did not hold every seat in Kent even if our own poll had Dover as the closest-run constituency.

What it all does show is how unpredictable politics is at the moment but also that in spite of what the doomsayers argue, we do have a vibrant and robust democracy.

It is estimated that more than 1.5 million young people have registered to vote since the election was called and could have a big say tomorrow. They were criticised for not having had an influence on the EU referendum last year, so maybe they have learnt their lesson.

So while evil Islamists try to upend our democracy we hit back in the only way we know, by keeping calm, carrying on, and putting our cross on a ballot paper.

Get your retaliation in at the polling booth tomorrow.