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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Joshua Taylor

Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis explains who you should vote for in general election

Who wins this week's general election could have a massive impact on how much money is in your pocket.

From when and how Brexit happens to manifesto pledges about free broadband for all, a lot of cash could be at stake.

Here, financial expert Martin Lewis explains how to decide which party you should vote for depending on your priorities.

The Money Saving Expert founder said: "It's the biggest consumer decision most will make this year.

"Who governs impacts the money in your and everyone else's pockets - never mind the fact it can change the whole flavour of our society.

"Unless you're a party loyalist, the decision isn't easy - you need to factor in Brexit, your local candidates, party policies and their leaders.

"This time the choice is more stark than I can remember - with huge waters between the parties."

Here are his tips for making that all-important decision...

Either Jeremy Corbyn or Boris Johnson will be PM after the election (PA)

Find out which parties' policies match your views

A few clever tools, that attempt to be independent, can help. For Eng;and only, (as Plaid/ SNP not included) I like Who should you vote for?

For speed, just answer a few questions and it maps your views to the closest major party.

For England, Scotland and Wales, try Vote for Policies, which does it by letting you pick your favourite manifesto.

Of course you can read the manifestos yourself, and then look at  Full Fact's fact-checked manifestos for Tory, Labour, Lib Dem and SNP policies.

Martin Lewis says the winner of the election could have a big impact on your wallet (ITV)

Check up on your local candidates

In our voting system you elect a local MP.

To find your candidates, enter your postcode at Who can I vote for?, where you may find info on them.

You can also find your most recent former MP's (none of them are MPs now) voting record at TheyWorkForYou or contact most of them via Tweet your Candidate.

The Money Saving Expert Leaders' Debate 2019

Find out what they promise to do (or not do) on housing, income, mortgage prisoners, money and mental health, rail fares, social care and more.

Last Wednesday, we launched our own MSE Leaders' Debate - where all the major leaders (except Nigel Farage, who didn't respond to requests) answered the big questions about the pounds in your pocket. Search via party response or subject-by-subject.

Want to vote tactically?

If your preferred party has very little chance in your constituency, you may want to vote tactically to avoid your most-disliked party winning.

There are a range of tactical voting online tools and sites to help you.

Yet many of these have an agenda, so as we're trying to stay impartial, I'll let you find those yourself.

Take your kids to the ballot box

A general election is a time to celebrate and educate your children about our democracy.

So why not #takeyourkidstovote and show them the process?

I've already posted my vote, but I got mini MSE to do it with me, explained what it meant and to pop the letter in the postbox to feel a part of it.

You don't need your polling card to vote

Having it speeds up the process, but you can just give your name and address, as staff will have your details if you're registered (although in NI you need photo ID).

If you don't know where your polling station is, contact your local authority.

Can't face voting?

The right for all to vote was hard fought for. As a last resort, at least go to the polling booth and spoil your ballot (ie, scrawl a line through it) to register a protest - a far stronger message than not voting.

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