DEMOCRACY is the cornerstone of the liberties we enjoy, but is fragile.
Politicians who fail to inspire or who do not fulfil their pledges deal it a serious blow by encouraging cynicism and apathy among voters, but there is a more immediate danger.
Election fraud poses a double threat - first by distorting the results and secondly by eroding confidence in the political processes on which democracy's foundations rest.
Birmingham's past troubles have been well documented and were rightly dealt with severely.
We trust that police and election officials will continue to monitor and investigate what happens in the latest elections, cracking down hard on any abuses that might have occurred.
But do not let cynicism persuade you to stay away from exercising a right that was won by ordinary men and women who struggled long and hard for universal suffrage, often facing harsh punishment from an unrepresentative clique for their beliefs.
Make sure you visit the polling station tomorrow to choose the councillor who will represent you.
It is no good simply moaning about what the council does or does not do.
Thursday, May 3, provides an opportunity to influence the make-up of a body that plays a crucial role in everyone's lives - from emptying your bins to running your schools to keeping your parks clean to providing carers to ensuring that this city is well-placed to continue to prosper.
Just as importantly, tomorrow provides you with the chance to take part in the democratic process.
Without a strong turn-out, the right of those elected to claim to truly represent us can be questioned.
And when those questions are asked, it chips away at democracy itself.
Cherish the system we have. It might not be perfect, but it is the best we have got.
Vote.