In case you have been living under a rock in recent weeks, election season is upon us, and what a scrap it it gearing up to be.

The various political parties have spent months frantically working out what solemn vows to trot out, in anticipation of ignoring most, if not all of them when they get into power.

Statistics are being massaged, attacks on the character of opponents are being finalised, and plans to hide rampant incompetence are being polished.

But on a local level, what is the outlook? In Falmouth and Truro things are looking good for Sarah Newton, the incumbent Conservative MP.

With the Lib Dem vote expected to collapse, and Labour fighting a rear guard action from the outset, a lot will depend on the elephant in the room, the rise of UKIP, and how strategic voting, or ‘holding your nose’, will impact on the result. Expect a rise in votes for the Green Party.

In Helston there is a quandary: will Andrew George’s stalwart showing, often contrary attitude, and rebellion against many of the worst excesses of the coalition be enough to counter the expected fall in Lib Dem votes? Many will hope so, but fear not.

Over in Camborne and Redruth we have a different story. The Lib Dems face an uphill battle, and I am being kind when I say that, while George Eustice will lose votes to a strong UKIP candidate, ironic as he used to be a member of that party. The Labour candidate could see a surprising result.

I for one am looking forward to the whole shenanigans, and wish all the candidates, well nearly all, the very best of Cornish luck.