Why is this important?

This May, there will be an election to determine the future course of the European Union as we know it. The election only happens once every five years, and it decides who will lead the EU and vote on EU-wide laws for the next five years.

But this year’s election is different. There’s a powerful rising threat, hungry for a different direction. Hateful extremists who want to divide us with their agendas of hate have their eyes fixed on this election. If the election results go in favour of the likes of those who want to destroy Europe, it would have a profound impact on both European and national politics for years to come.

Many of us hope for change. We want a more equal, welcoming and happier Europe where all kids can grow up to meet their potential. We want nature to be treasured and climate change prevented to protect us all. But to achieve this kind of Europe, hope is not enough. We need to act, and that means getting people out to vote in May.

While holding off hateful extremists at the ballot box, we can also use our vote to start changing how decisions are made in Europe. Too many of our current batch of EU leaders – particularly our own heads of states – still make policy and decisions based on fear of losing votes to the extremists or to appease corporate lobbyists. A new European Parliament could change that equation, depending on the kind of leaders we vote in there.

The first step is to sign this pledge. Then inform your family and friends about the election, and get them to pledge to vote too.

A better European Union is worth fighting for and the fight starts here. We need to vote for those who join us in saying: "No to hate, yes to change!"