Who deserves your vote? When an election is called you will have a selection of candidates to choose from. Your local electoral registration office should be able to tell you who the candidates will be some time before the election.
How do you know what the candidates believe? Almost all MPs are members of political parties, and most candidates will be as well. Looking at which party they belong to can give you an overall idea of what is important to each candidate.
So what party then? In addition to the more prominent parties in the political landscape, there are numerous smaller parties to choose from. If you live outside England, there are also locally based parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Each party has a different way of looking at the world and issues affecting the country. You may find that your personal views are mostly in common with a particular party. You might then vote for that party, as they are more likely to share your views on key issues. Or you may make your choice at a more personal level – you like a particular individual standing for election more than their opponents.
How do you know what political parties believe? Just keep an eye on the news and read the press. MPs are always very happy to share their views with the media. You could also visit a party website to get their views on the issues you care about. During an election, political parties also produce a manifesto that tells you what they would do if they got into power – this can help you make a choice.