IT is less election fever, more election sickness. As Tony Blair fired the starting pistol today, months after the runners hared off down the campaign trail, the public met the news with a weary shrug of resignation.

How did politics come to be so uninspiring? This is our moment of power, our chance to hold the politicians to account. Yet there is a real fear that Election 05 will record the lowest turnout in modern times.

They call it voter apathy. But that does not tell the whole story.

True, we are pampered by a relatively stable economy. Prosperity is a political passion killer.

But there is much about Britain which remains to be fixed. A growing minority of people disrespect their neighbours, property and the law. Binge drinking has been elevated to the national sport.

The housing crisis is depriving a generation of the opportunity to have their own home. Pensioners' living standards are declining. Single issues, such as the Iraq war and the ban on fox hunting, have created widespread anger.

There are plenty of reasons to vote, but many constituents are planning to stay at home - not from apathy, but as a deliberate statement about the standard of political debate and diversity in Britain today.

It is now up to the candidates to inspire them to the ballot box. Negative, bland, timid campaigning will only increase the number of people who feel disaffected and disenfranchised.

Updated: 09:51 Tuesday, April 05, 2005