Adam Boulton, Editor-at-Large

This General Election is more interesting than you think, honestly.

Yes I know that Brenda from Bristol has already become a folk hero for her off-the-cuff reaction on the day Theresa May announced it was on.

"You're joking? Not another one! Oh for God's sake, I can't honestly... I can't stand this." She told a delighted reporter: "There's too much politics going on at the moment. Why does she need to do it?"

And, yes I know, you probably think you know who is going to win.


That didn't stop Fraser Nelson, the editor of The Spectator, telling me this week that this was one of the best elections, much more interesting than last time in 2015.

What's more, he added, "and not just for political anoraks".

Here are five reasons why I think you should sit up and pay attention and, if you can make up your mind, cast your vote for your chosen candidate.

1. This is a change election. The result will make a difference to your life.

We are not talking about minor disagreements in the social democratic centre ground of politics.

Theresa May's Conservatives and Jeremy Corbyn's Labour have radically different programmes for government.

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown promised to match the Conservatives plans and keep taxes down.

This time, Labour is committed to increasing the government take in terms of income tax, corporation tax, inheritance tax and VAT - although it says the burden will only fall on "the rich". The Liberal Democrats are offering a radical option too - rolling back the Brexit referendum result.

Theresa May's Conservatives and Jeremy Corbyn's Labour have radically different programmes for government.

2. We didn't choose the current Prime Minister.

The next PM will be one of two people and both Mrs May and Mr Corbyn are leading their parties into a general election for the first time.

Mrs May did not even face an internal party election and Mr Corbyn was opposed by a majority of his MPs (who were elected by you). Both lack popular endorsement.

3. This election is not a re-run.

The political map of Britain is changing. For the first time in perhaps 60 years, the outcome this time will not be determined by which party is most successful in turning out its core vote.

Labour has lost its Scottish power base, while geographical loyalties are fraying for the big three parties in England, Scotland and Wales.

4. The very existence of the UK is in play for the first time in over a century.

The SNP are the ruling party in Scotland and they want independence. Devolved government is failing in Northern Ireland.

The European Union says that the Province will automatically remain part of the EU should its people vote to unite with Ireland. Polls indicate that the political mood in Wales is in flux.

The way these home nations tip will be profoundly affected by the attitude of the government chosen on 8 June.

5. Then there's Brexit. In, out, soft or hard.

It's a long time since the UK had a General Election so dominated by a single question about the nation's destiny.

The parties are each offering very different approaches to the issue which - barring some dreadful war or disaster - will dominate the national debate for the next few years and drain the energy from other political initiatives.

At least one of these points must matter to you. You've got lots of real choices to make this time.

Sky Views is a series of comment pieces by Sky News editors and correspondents, published every morning.

Previously on Sky Views: Katie Stallard: Forget looking cool, just go for it