"DON'T believe everything you read" is advice that we hear frequently. This week I have been shocked at how true this can be. I have spent the last week in Manchester as a delegate for Central Devon at the Labour Party Conference. The picture painted in the press did not correspond to my own experience. I met so many optimistic, committed, energised people - from 20 to 90 years of age - who care passionately about the need to save our NHS, support lower paid workers and look after the needy in our country, among many other things - including paying off the deficit. The austerity programme of European Governments is not the only way to do this, as we can see by America's example. I came away from the Conference convinced that the next election - in May 2015 - will be crucial for the future of our public services, especially the NHS. If we have learned nothing else from the Scottish Referendum we have surely seen how important it is for everyone to get involved in elections and to use their right to vote. Voting can change all our lives. Di Martin Peppercorn House Sandford