THE Inferno calls for 2017 to become the year of the "Vox Pop."

The term, translated from the Latin, means "the Voice of the People."

In newspapers and media, it helps journalists get an opinion about a subject by going directly to the man and woman in the street.

No spin doctors, politicians or councillors, but hearing it as it is said by the people who matter, but are so often over-looked - the voters.

So here's to vibrant regular Vox Pops - long may they continue in our free democracy.

As we prepare for massive changes in 2017 we are still in the dark about many issues from Brexit to our NHS which is semingly on a life-support machine.

The Remain and Leave Brexit campaigns simply didn't speak to the public enough and wouldn't listen to what the public were clearly worried about.

Theresa Maybe is still sipping from this poisoned political chalice.

In Wirral we are promised transparency - so much so that it has a starring role in the trailers for the council's 2020 Vision show directed by Phil Davies.

But isn't it time the council started listening more?

The current controversial plans to raise car parking charges has caused outrage resulting in some eye-opening comments posted on our Globe website.

Also their "no questions asked" scheme to create an £80,000 inward investment officer post - have sparked similar debate.

Don't the rate-payers have a say - surely there must be somebody in post already who should be doing that job?

Long may Vox Pops establish how people are really feeling - like the sentiments in the growing number of angry letters to the Globe editor.

It is no surprise that the proposal to cut the number of councillors from the present 66 was rejected.

But did they go out of their way and ask the residents what they they really think - did they do their proper research where and when it mattered?

The closure of the care centres, the publication of a monthly propaganda paper whether people want it or not.

Liverpool's Joe Anderson is planning a lottery to raise much-needed funds.

I support the Postcode Lottery and Big Lottery Funds but we can't rely on them.

Maybe Mighty Joe's idea has legs - but again have the public been consulted?

The man and woman in the street need to be "Vox Popped."

Will cash-strapped Wirral take more gambles (are we still twinning with US gambling capital Reno?).

Politicians - local and national - please soak in what the Vox Pops tell you.

The Voice of the People - when listened to - is ultimately reflected at the ballot box.

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JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH always gets my vote.

Mr Shuttleworth is the creation of former Liverpool Everyman actor Graham Fellows (he also became famous as Jilted John in the pop charts).

Sheffield-born Graham created a character who has been around a lot longer than Alan Patridge.

His songs are classics including I Can't Go Back to Savoury Now - a tribute to his wife Mary's cooking.

Another pop gem is called Two Margarines, no one berates modern life better than his suburban viewpoint.

John, in his poloneck sweater, leather jacket and slacks, makes the mundane magnificent.

Now with his trusty Yamaha organ, he is returning to the Liverpool Playhouse this Saturday.

I have interviewed John in the past and he hasn't hinted at a possible retirement yet.

But catch him while you can. His new My Last Will and Tasty Mint tour is a must-see gig.

John Shuttleworth - our oifficial nerdy, national treasure.

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PICTURE this:  Me, a humbe columnist, sipping a pint of Guinness with a Lord in the Adelphi Hotel.

Ah, memories of the distant 1980s.

So I was saddened to hear of the death of Antony Armstrong-Jones, the First Earl of Snowdon - or Lord Snowdon as he was known to us commoners.

The world-famous photographer once came to Merseyside for a photo-shoot commission.

A colleague and I were asked to spend some time with him and where possible suggest locations for him to film.

Seeing him in operation was a revelation.

He had a small team with him dutifully setting up his equipment waiting for him to arise from his chair and click away.

I recall him standing in the famous St Luke's building known as the "Bombed Out Church."

The end result for a Sunday broadsheet magazine was a piece of pure art.

Rest In Peace, charming, modest Lord Snowdon. I'll never forget that royal appointment.

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AND the winner of the tear-jerker of the year goes to...

With my cinema critic's hat on I have my own nomination.

In the last fortnight I have been to see two previews the now critically-acclaimed homage to Hollywood La La Land and the war movie Hacksaw Ridge.

The former is now award-laden, the latter directed by Mel Gibson, is on general release on January 26.

One of them moved me to tears.

Hacksaw Ridge is a true story that kept me gripped from start to finish. A celebration of a real life hero - I would go as far to say a saint.

Desmond T Doss was a conscientious objector from Virginia who went into the battle of Okinawa in Japan as a medic without a rifle.

He refused to kill wearing his Red Cross badge of courage. He saved 75 men in the process - winning the Medal of Honor.

It is, despite graphic bloody harrowing scenes, a beautiful film.

I advise Donald J Trump to watch it.

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AND finally...The US is all trumped-up for the swearing in of their 45th President on Friday.

The brash businessman is clearly more than qualified for the Oval Office when you consider his Republican predecessor George W Bush once said with no hint of irony: ''It's clearly a budget - it's got a lot of numbers in it.''

Bye-bye, Barrack. Good luck, America.

Peter Grant