The recent elections in Afghanistan saw an estimated 70 per cent of Afghans turn out to vote for a new president, defying threats of bombing, kidnapping and murder to take part in the elections.

As I watched and read the coverage in the media, I started to think what the percentage of the electorate will vote in the local and European May elections, not just in Swindon but across the country.

One thing that is guaranteed, it won’t be 70 per cent.

To those people who can’t be bothered to vote, I would say people around the world are being killed for the right to vote and for democracy. So don’t let apathy get in the way of a short walk to your polling station on May 22.

Martin Webb, Swindon Road, Swindon