People say ‘politicians are all the same’ and today they all have one thing in common – they are about to be judged by us.

The would-be MPs and councillors have promised us plenty – as I left a recent hustings I heard someone say she’d like to take “a bit from each of them”.

We’ve more chance seeing pigs fly than we have of seeing an all-power-sharing administration, but if you’ve registered to vote then do so today.

I attend many Kirklees Council meetings and see first hand how the people in the council chamber decide what does – and doesn’t – happen locally.

Few members of the public attend these meetings and therefore don’t see the many hours spent debating issues that affect us all.

If you want that pothole down the road filling in then it’s someone on the local election ballot paper who gets to decide if there’s enough money. If you need home care then the people in the council chamber have a say in how it’s delivered.

While I’ve yet to visit Parliament, the same goes only they decide how much money Kirklees should have in the first place and what rules we face.

Secondly, how do you decide who to vote for? There is no easy answer.

We at the Examiner invited all of the would-be MP candidates to write a manifesto for us. It was their chance to pitch for your vote and you can read them online.

I’ve covered hustings where the public have put them on the spot, again you can read reports online.

Click here for our dedicated General Election 2015 page

You might have met candidates during the campaign and been impressed; you can follow them on social media or judge them on party policies or national news reports.

Friday will herald disappointment for those who won’t win enough votes, but at least they tried.

Give them credit for trying and cast your vote for whoever you think will do the best for you and your family and your neighbourhood.

It could well be another five years before we get to judge our MP again, make sure you have a say in who it is.