AS we enter the final few days of the General Election campaign it appears that some are reverting to dirty tactics.

Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates in Sussex have both criticised “criminal gangs” carrying out “violent attacks” on party posters and campaigns.

One Lewes couple told of having a brick thrown through their window because of their support for the Liberal Democrats.

It is such a shame to hear that this is happening.

What we need is passionate and informed debate, not this sort of behaviour.

Just because we don’t agree with a different view it does not mean we have to behave like this.

We can argue and we can debate – because at the end of the day everyone is entitled to their opinion.

That is how it should be.

This sort of behaviour is particularly unpleasant given the two terror attacks in London and Manchester.

We have witnessed young men intent on spreading their view of the world, with no thought or consideration for anyone else’s.

We don’t want to be like them.

We live in a democracy, where free speech and the right to hold an opinion is fiercely protected.

If we fundamentally disagree with someone else’s views then we challenge them. We debate and offer up our alternative.

That is how we do things in this country – it has served us well in the past and will continue to in the future.

If we really want to make our voices heard, we know what to do. We walk into that polling booth tomorrow and we put a mark next to our chosen candidate. Democracy isn’t perfect, but it is the best we have and we should be proud of it.