In the last House of Keys general election only half of the 60,000 people who were registered to vote actually took the trouble to do so.

At 53%, the national turnout in 2016 was the smallest for decades and much lower than the UK equivalent (69% in 2017).

Many countries have seen a decline in electoral engagement but it appears to be a particular problem in the home of the world’s oldest continuous parliament.

This seems surprising, because the tiny scale of Manx politics gives individual voters a lot more influence over outcomes.

Five years ago, for example, three seats were secured by a winning margin of fewer than 25 votes. In East Douglas the gap was just seven votes.

So what kept nearly 30,000 citizens away from the democratic process last time round?

It is difficult to believe they were all unaware of the election, or did not care about the issues being discussed.

One of the biggest barriers to voting must be the popular perception that it makes no difference who gets elected.

All the candidates are basically the same, according to this view, and once in the House they have no power to achieve anything meaningful.

This scepticism is understandable, given the opaque character of island politics.

In a system based on personality rather than policy it is harder for the uninitiated to tell one candidate from another.

And the House of Keys has never been good at explaining the significance of its work or its relevance to everyday lives.

However, while there may be no great policy divisions between candidates they do differ widely in their competence to do the job.

Some would help to steer the Isle of Man in the right direction while others, frankly, would have us on the rocks.

A short-sighted house of fools could easily fail in its duty to protect the economy, environment, public finances and public services.

With a community in crisis we would understand, too late, how much responsibility is carried by MHKs.

Such a calamity may seem unimaginable but the island is now sailing in uncharted waters.

Brexit and Covid have shown that the unexpected can happen.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The time has come to throw complacency overboard and stop believing in our own propaganda.

It will take vision, skill and integrity to navigate the challenges ahead.

In addition to our response to climate change these include reinventing the Isle of Man’s economy and making sure we can afford the best health, social care and education.

There is also the outstanding question of equality of opportunity, and why relative poverty persists in a supposedly prosperous society.

Last but by no means least is the matter of fairness between the generations.

Thousands of young people have already left the island, driven away by the high cost of housing and limited career prospects.

This is a national scandal and a health warning for the economy.

The Isle of Man has reached a crossroads.

The next House of Keys can set off in the right direction in tackling these important issues, or wander down the wrong path.

Much depends on the quality of its membership.

So it is up to you, the registered voter, to ensure the most competent candidates are chosen to work on behalf of you and your family.

Be aware that if you don’t make it to the polls there is more chance of less suitable candidates getting in, not on the basis of their competence but on the back of their personal networks.

This can happen when there is a low turnout.

If you care about the future of the Isle of Man, and all of the people in it, please be bothered to vote this Thursday.