WE’RE told the coming election is going to be the most important in our lifetime. However, I’m bemused that there seems to be a lack of discussion over the issues that affect me. I became a carer six years ago, after the death of a relative, a lone parent of an 11-year-old boy with mental health issues.

What a shock I was in for! Until you live with someone with MH issues, you don’t really understand what’s involved. After a very steep learning curve, my wife and I decided to become legal guardians to our nephew, giving him the stable home, security and guidance that he so needed.

It hasn’t been easy. What with the constant changes of social workers, having to move into my recently deceased relative’s home and changes to benefit. Were we going to have to move due to the bedroom tax? What impact will changes to DLA have on the opportunities and support of our nephew? What will happen after he leaves school?

At the end of the day, we do these things because we love our families. Caring is the most difficult job that I have ever done. I want a government that stands up for the thousands of silent carers.

Cllr Dale Rooke, Chepstow