IT IS fifteen days to "make your mind up" time.

It was a phrase from the famous show Opportunity Knocks, starring Hughie Green, where the audience would vote using the clap-o-meter followed by a postal vote.

Already the nation has been subjected to opportunist politicians on whistle-stop visits to towns and cities promising us the earth if they get to Downing Street (Cue Alice Cooper's I Wanna Be Elected).

It resembles a UK music tour – in some cases Blands on the Run.

Each party even has a tour bus.

But we can make our own minds up in a different way by switching on any of the programmes currently gracing the schedules which help paint a picture of Britain in 2015.

The Inferno flicked through the schedules to discover some prime programmes reflecting our big society.

Apart from satirical programmes such as the tame Newzoids and Channel Four's Ballot Monkeys (set on battle buses) you can separate the facts from the fiction by watching any or all of the following documentaries: BBC's The Great Housing Benefit Scandal and Inside Harley Street; Del Boys and Dealers; Channel Four's Skint and Channel 5’s sobering Can't Pay? We’ll Take it Away.

Not what you would call light entertainment, but it will help you decide the best party to instigate change where it is badly needed.

As the late great Hughie said: "Ladies and gentlemen, it's your votes that count."

Opportunity now knocks for all of us...

**

FOCUS will soon be on Cambridge Kate coming out of labour, so to speak, to herald a baby brother or sister to George who could – some observers predict – be born on election day, which would steer many from the polling booths.

Patriotic people are now camping outside St Mary’s Hospital in London draped in Union Jacks.

Baby George has already been dubbed the "most influential toddler in the country." 

This is not a toadying comment from a royal correspondent, but the fact that George mania saw the country spend in the region of £70 million on a combination of baby designer wear and celebratory food and drinks.

Royal-watchers predict that the next baby could bring in £80 million to the UK economy immediately after birth, rising to £150 million this year if it’s a girl! That’ s what I call a baby boom.

SHOCK … Horror! There, I have always wanted to write that.

Happily, it is good news for one Wallasey wordsmith.

Ramsey Campbell, one of the world’s most successful award-winning writers – admired by Stephen King – is a jolly good fellow.

We knew that already, but now it is official. Ramsey will receive an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University for his outstanding contribution to literature.

This week, the Liverpool-born prolific horror writer told me he was "flattered and honoured" and is looking forward to presenting some talks and lectures at the university.

"I was incredulous at first," said modest Mr C.

So how will Ramsey celebrate when he dons the famous cap and gown in July?

"A glass of wine, maybe," he chuckled. "No, make that a crate!"

**

"IS Ringo the best drummer in Liverpool?" John Lennon was once asked.

"He isn't even the best drummer in The Beatles,” he snapped back.

John knew however that the drummer who replaced Pete Best was indeed the glue that kept the band together At long last Richard Starkey has been inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his solo work.

He is the fourth and final member of the fab four to be given the musical honour.

Ringo has rediscovered his Mersey roots and his accent these days is more Scouse Atlantic. When I interviewed a sentimental Mr Starr, I asked him who was the fifth Beatle?

Without hesitation, he replied: "There wasn’t one – there were just four of us John, George, Paul and me." 

And Ringo's new album out this month, called Postcards from Paradise, pays homage to the magical days with his "three brothers."

Peter Grant