Should convicted criminals have the right to vote? Should university tuition feesWhen students pay universities to study there. be scrapped? Was BrexitThe UK's departure from the European Union. the right or wrong idea?

Elections are not just about selecting a government. They are also opportunities to think about the sort of country you want to live in.

As the United Kingdom approaches its general election, candidates are setting out their stall. Leaders have clashed in TV debates. Social media is full of campaign adverts. And parties are publishing manifestos outlining their plans for government.

A fifth of the British population is too young to vote.¹ But even if you cannot cast a ballot on 4 July, it is interesting to consider who you would choose if you could. 

The 13.4 million young people barred from the election will nevertheless live with its consequences for the rest of their lives.

Many experts think it is important to become politically engaged as soon as possible. As the Ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes wrote: "The foundation of every state is the education of its youth."

This election is a big moment for Britain, with potential global impact. It could end 14 years of ConservativeHolding traditional values, and in a political context, favouring policies such as private ownership. rule, during which time Britain has faced five prime ministers and left the European Union.

Experts are currently predicting a super-majority for the Labour PartyThe main left-wing political party in the UK. . According to political consultancy Electoral Calculus, one outcome would see Labour snatch 472 seats and the Conservatives will plunge to 76.² 

Some forecast that these results will mean the death of the ToriesThe Tory Party was the former name of the Conservative Party. The phrase is still used to refer to Conservatives.  as we know them. The right-wingSometimes referred to as 'conservative', this is a range of political beliefs that emphasise the value of tradition, individual freedom and responsibility, low taxes and a hands-off approach to government. Reform UKA right-wing populist party in the UK. It has support from Nigel Farage and used to be called the Brexit Party. is poised to take between 11% and 17% of votes. Party leader Nigel Farage aims for a "reverse takeover" of the Tories.³

It is also the biggest election in Britain's history. A record 4,515 candidates are standing for election across Britain's 650 constituenciesGeographical areas for which voters choose one politician to represent them. . This is a 35.7% increase on the last election. They represent 102 different parties, with 459 candidates standing as independents.

Whatever the result, it will be an election to remember. If the polls are right, Britain's political landscape will be altered enormously. If they are wrong, the shock will be greater still.

Who would you vote for?

Vote Conservative if... you think taxes should be kept down, more money should be spent on defence and that illegal migrants should be sent to RwandaA country in the centre of Africa. At least 500,000 people were killed in the appalling genocide of 1994..

Vote Labour if... you would like stronger worker's rights, more funding for the NHSThe National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. The NHS was founded in 1948. and a closer relationship with the EU.

Vote Liberal Democrat if... you want a faster route to net zeroWhen the gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by those being taken out of it., proportional representationA voting system in which the winning party gets a proportion of parliamentary seats equal to its proportion of the vote. and non-binarySomeone who does not identify as a boy or a girl. rights.

Vote Green if... you believe that climate change should be our main concern and that society should be more equal.

Vote Reform UK if... you want a harder Brexit, harsh penalties on immigration and more fossil fuels.