As part of its general election coverage, Yahoo News has been speaking to voters around the country on the issues that will sway their vote. Here, Hannah Fearn talks to Telford College student Callum Harbour

For Callum Harbour, voting is not only a democratic but a moral responsibility. On 4 July he will have just finished his A’ Level exams at Telford College and will be voting for the first time.

The young Christian, who is preparing to take a year out to earn money before studying theology and philosophy at the University of Nottingham, says he’s yet to make his mind up but his faith will play a key part in his final decision.

“No party is going to be perfect, but for me with my Christian ideals it’s about what party helps provide to those in need. My faith is a big part of who I am so it does translate into these decisions about who to vote for,” he says.

Although he will be scanning all the party manifestos before he casts his ballot, the 18-year-old has more certainty about who he won’t be voting for than who will get his support on the day. The Conservatives are out because of their recent track record, he says, and the Liberal Democrats because of their history of breaking pledges made to young people and students.

Unlike many of his college friends, he likes the idea of the Conservatives’ plan to introduce national service for young people – but though it appeals to him personally, he agrees the plan wouldn’t work in practice. “A lot of people just wouldn’t go,” he laughs.

So far, Harbour has found his first experience of following a general election campaign dispiriting, and he’s disappointed by the amount of time given over to politicians criticising one another rather than setting out their own positive agendas for change.

“I don’t want to be voting for someone who is focused on saying someone else is rubbish, I want them to focus on what they are going to do. It does seem a little bit childish and petty,” he says.

“I get that there are rivalries, particularly with Conservatives and Labour, but when I’m researching the party I don’t just want to hear that another party is doing badly. That’s something that has surprised me. There seems to be such an emphasis on it. I do believe it’s right to call out mistakes, but I don’t see the point in taking childish shots.”