In the 76 years we have been producing the Oxford Mail, we have been accused of being for or against almost every political party you could think of.

But we pride ourselves with the statement that appears below this column every day.

We are fully independent of political parties and Government.

That promise is as true today as it has been at every previous General Election.

Unlike many of the national newspapers, we do not nail our colours to any mast -- our aim is to give fair coverage to everyone.

We make no excuse for devoting a large part of today's paper to election issues.

We feel it is important that our readers are given an insight into what all the parties fighting seats in next week's election stand for.

We make no comment on which party we feel will be best for Oxfordshire and for the country.

After analysing the parties' views expressed in today's paper, it will up to our readers to decide how they vote.